MUD Workshop

Design + Planning


MoMA PS1 Plaza




Positioned within the dense, transit-rich Court Square district, the 46th Avenue Pedestrian Plaza occupies a key site where cultural institutions, commercial uses, and new housing converge. Its long-term redesign offers an opportunity to create a cohesive public realm that enhances safety, supports community programming, and anchors the neighborhood’s continued growth.

ProjectMoMA PS1 Plaza

LocationLong Island City, Queens

ClientNYC Department of Transportation

CollaboratorsHR&A, Sherpa Construction & Consulting

ServicesPublic Space Design/ Visioning/ Outreach and Engagement



Adjacent to MoMA PS1, a longstanding cultural institution, the plaza provides vital pedestrian space in a rapidly developing area with increasing foot traffic. While the NYC Department of Transportation closed the slip lane between Jackson Avenue and 46th Avenue in 2021 to create an interim plaza, its current temporary design lacks the cohesive infrastructure needed to fully integrate it into the neighborhood fabric where residential and commercial density continues to grow.



Plaza Location & Context
Plaza Scope for Improvement


In collaboration with NYC DOT, MoMA PS1, and local stakeholders, MUD Workshop facilitated a community engagement process to develop a long-term vision for the plaza’s redesign. Engagement strategies included public workshops, stakeholder meetings, and on-site observations to assess pedestrian movement, accessibility needs, and community aspirations. Outreach efforts focused on ensuring the plaza would serve a diverse range of users, from museum visitors to local residents and businesses. The final plan proposes elevating the plaza to sidewalk grade, providing clear pedestrian pathways, introducing permanent seating and planting, and incorporating a dedicated space for public art. These enhancements will transform the plaza into a well-defined and vibrant public space, reinforcing its role as a cultural gateway and community asset in Long Island City.


The project ultimately received $2.5M for funding as part of the Governor’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative.


Plaza Vision
Plaza Scope for Improvement
Plaza Vision



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MoMA PS1 Plaza Longterm Vision
Plaza Location & Context
Plaza Scope for Improvement
Plaza Vision
Plaza Scope for Improvement
Plaza Vision


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