Every day, 80,000 pedestrians—6,800 of which are students—pass through Fordham Plaza in the Bronx. DDC worked with the Department of Transportation (DOT) to create a redesign of the plaza that calms and improves the flow of car traffic along East 189th Street and Webster Avenue. This method echoes the goals set forth in Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Vision Zero plan by relieving traffic congestion and improving safety for pedestrians. Additionally, the Plaza provides space for independent vendors to set up kiosks, increasing community engagement and local business opportunities. With the feedback of our sister agency, DOT, and our stakeholders, we designed and built a safe plaza that meets the needs of the local community to enhance this borough for years to come.

More photos of Fordham Plaza

The Step Street on 215th in Inwood, Manhattan, originally built in 1915, connects residents to the subway and local businesses. DDC repaired cracked concrete, and added bike channels—small grooves that make it easier for riders to carry a bike up and down the stairs. DDC also preserved two original cast-iron lamp posts, which were thoroughly restored after a rigorous review process in partnership with the Landmarks Preservation Commission, in conditions comparable to their original installment in the early 20th century. The Step Street is accessible to all pedestrian traffic and expedites the journey between Park Terrace East and Broadway.

More photos of West 215th Street

The 9,600 square-foot Ocean Breeze Riding Facility serves as the new headquarters for Helping Others Overcome Personal Handicaps (HOOPH), a therapeutic riding program that offers physical and occupational therapy to people age 3 to 21 who live with mental and physical disabilities. Situated on Father Capodanno Boulevard on Staten Island, next door to Ocean Breeze Indoor Athletic Facility, the building’s strategic location encourages a healthy lifestyle for all New Yorkers. The building was designed to minimize damage to the wetlands section of Ocean Breeze Park and meet new FEMA elevation standards with the elevation of the structure.

The Staten Island Family Justice Center is the fifth in the City’s network of help centers, which ensures every victim and survivor of domestic violence, elder abuse and sex trafficking is able to seek assistance, safety, and legal services near home. DDC managed the design and construction of the space, which makes use of natural light, and has mechanical systems that minimize effects on the environment. "The first worry of many victims of domestic violence is where to find help or how to find a safe space for herself and her children to sleep. Family Justice Centers are exactly what their name suggests – one central place where clients can restore balance to their lives," said First Lady Chirlane McCray.

More photos of the Staten Island Justice Center

This 13,000 square-foot facility is the largest EMS station in Queens and the new home of Queens EMS Borough Command. The building can house six ambulances and one major emergency response vehicle (MERV). DDC is proud to deliver, in support of the Mayor’s vision for an environmentally sustainable and equitable City, a new and inviting Emergency Medical Services Station. The cantilevered design protects underground utilities that serve the adjacent hospital, while the signature red overhead garage doors instantly identify to New Yorkers that the building is part of FDNY. The resilience of the building matches the resilience of our brave emergency responders, and it is a structure that will strengthen the neighborhood for years to come.

Ulmer Park Library received $1.9 million in renovation work managed by DDC. In addition to providing the Chinese and Russian immigrant community with multi-lingual book and newspaper collection, the library doubles as a cooling center when the heat index is dangerously high. We are happy to be reopening the Ulmer Park library, which is now outfitted with state of the art upgrades including LED lighting a fully reconstructed roof and masonry improvements to the building’s facade.

DDC led a renovation of the 8,240 square-foot Irish Repertory Theater at 132 West 22nd Street in Chelsea funded by a $6 million through the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA). The renovation to the theater, which has existed at its location in Chelsea for the past 21 years, nearly doubled the height of the performance area. The renovation also added 250-square-feet of total space and widened the stage, backstage and storage areas. Additionally, a new 40-seat balcony provides the audience with an unobstructed view of the stage. A gallery space, two offices, and new bathrooms were also installed in the second floor of the theater.

The Wavertree is the world’s last remaining wrought-iron sailing ship. It returned to the piers near the South Street Seaport Museum following a 16-month, $13 million restoration led by DDC. The vessel will serve as an exhibit and educational space for future generations of New Yorkers and visitors. “New York owes our commercial prowess to our waterways and our long and proud history of shipping and ship building. I am delighted to announce we are bringing the historic Wavertree back to South Street Seaport for New Yorkers and visitors to continue to explore, enjoy and learn from,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.