The NYCDDC project involved the reconstruction and reconfiguration of Corona Plaza in Queens, bounded by National Street and 104th Street. Corona Plaza was originally built in 2012 when NYCDOT closed a redundant service road off Roosevelt Avenue and combined it with a small park to create a new public space adjacent to a major subway station as part of the New York City Plaza Program. The project expanded the public space into Roosevelt Avenue and built ADA ramps and sidewalks. Work operations associated with this project included replacing/reconstructing existing curbs and sidewalks, installing new street lighting and catch basins, installing curb extensions, and planting new trees.
As the prime consultant, SI Engineering, P.C. (SIE) provided resident engineering inspection services for the project. SIE was involved in all construction operations of the contractor to ensure conformance with contract plans, specifications, and proposals. SIE’s staff was responsible for reviewing the contractor’s daily maintenance and protection of traffic setups, measurement of quantities of contractor’s activities on a daily basis, tracking of equipment utilization and workers by job classification, preparation of daily inspector reports, and review of overall job site safety as per NYCDDC standards and methodology. Due to heavy pedestrian traffic, SIE made an extensive effort to coordinate with local businesses and members of the community throughout the project. Seamless coordination with agencies and the stakeholder was in constant practice by SIE’s team to successfully complete the project on time within budget. Situated at the heart of the Corona neighborhood in Queens, the reconstructed Corona Plaza provides an essential public space for locals to meet friends and family, play games, attend cultural events, and engage with their community. It also hosts NYC’s first-ever regulated community vending area, consisting of dozens of local vendors selling food, clothing, and artisanal goods.
