The Public Design Commission Launches New Resources to Guide Applicants Through Project Review

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 10, 2025

CONTACT: pressoffice@cityhall.nyc.gov, (212) 788-2958

New Tools Streamline Design Review Process and Support Agency Partners

New York, NY — The NYC Public Design Commission (PDC) today announced more accessible, efficient, and user-friendly digital resources, clarifying the City’s design review process. These tools emerge from a year-long process of user need analysis and stakeholder engagement, following our release of joint recommendations to streamline capital project review. These new resources were created as a result of multiple working groups with key agency partners, and the New York Building Congress’ Architects Leadership Council, with the goal of addressing the challenges applicants face in the design review process.

Key Resources Include:

Restructured Submission Checklists and Instructions, and New Application Form

The Restructured Submission Checklists – condensed from 21 categories to five– provide a comprehensive overview of the design review process for the following project submission categories:

1. Artwork Installation
2. Artwork Relocation or Conservation
3. Built Environment
   1. Includes Parks, Open Spaces, Streetscapes, Structures
4. Limited Scope
   1. Includes Building Systems, Distinctive Lighting, Distinctive Sidewalks, Newstands
5. Signage

Checklists and accompanying instructions provide a detailed, step-by-step guide to assist applicants with preparing submission packages for PDC review. While submission requirements have not changed, the checklists make information related to submissions and required materials more easily accessible.  The new Application Form has been updated to remove outdated requirements and to align with the new submission categories.

Searchable Example Presentation Collection

The Example Presentation Collection is intended to provide examples of exemplary presentations that have been submitted to the PDC from various City agencies, including a variety of project types at different levels of review and Annual Awards for Excellence in Design winning projects.  This collection is intended to provide general guidance to project applications for their own submissions and is not a complete record of submissions received by the PDC.

 

Presentation Style Guide

The Presentation Style Guide provides visual guidance to the organization of a project review presentation, and includes helpful tips about submission formatting requirements, drawing sequencing, and annotations. The guide helps applicants prepare a successful presentation, providing a flexible framework to build upon or reference for submissions.

"The Public Design Commission's launch of new digital resources represent a significant advancement in our efforts to streamline government processes and deliver high-quality public spaces more efficiently," said First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer. "By restructuring application materials and clarifying the design review process, these tools will help our agencies move critical projects forward with greater speed and clarity, while maintaining the design excellence that defines our public realm. This initiative directly supports our administration's commitment to improving government operations and delivering better outcomes for all New Yorkers."

“Building better projects means improving every aspect of the process, and tools for smart, effective collaboration across and outside government could not be more critical in delivering public realm projects that work for New Yorkers,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi.  ‘These updated resources will make it easier to work with the Public Design Commission and ensure that capital projects are completed more quickly, efficiently, and inclusively.  Thank you to the public servants involved in overhauling the design review process to promote excellence in each stage of delivery.’

"These new resources represent a fundamental shift in how we support our agency partners and design professionals," said PDC Executive Director Sreoshy Banerjea. "By making our processes more transparent and providing clear guidance, we're helping ensure better project outcomes while maintaining the highest standards of public design."

“Over the course of a year, PDC listened carefully to our many city agency and design partners,” said PDC President Deborah Marton. "With their input, these new tools will efficiently serve their needs, ensuring they have the smoothest possible path to delivering excellence in our built environment.”

 “Today’s release of updated Public Design Commission resources reflects our commitment to improving each stage of project delivery, ensuring that quality and efficiency aren’t at odds in public work,’ said Chief Delivery Officer Alison Landry.  ‘I’m proud of the partnership between the Public Design Commission, city agencies, and industry partners to recalibrate the public design review process, making it easier to participate in public work and deliver the excellence New Yorkers deserve in our public realm.’

“The Public Design Commission’s willingness to listen to industry feedback, increase transparency, and develop meaningful resources tailored to today’s design and delivery paradigms is highly commendable,” said Kirsten Sibilia, Architects Leadership Council Co-Chair, New York Building Congress and Managing Partner, Dattner Architects. “The New York Building Congress valued our advisory role, and we are grateful to PDC for helping New York City continue to prioritize design quality in public architecture.”