LPC gives favorable advisory report for accessible path at Verdi Square; water service still under scrutiny

The Landmarks Preservation Commission on May 20, 2025 issued a favorable advisory report for construction of an accessible path at Verdi Square, a triangular scenic landmark on the Upper West Side, but public testimony and commissioners flagged concerns about a separate plan for new water service and backflow equipment.

The path proposal — presented by Veil Young of New York City Parks — would replace a temporary accessibility mat with a permanent, permeable path composed of a plastic diamond grid filled with gravel and lowered granite curbs at two entrances. Young said the work responds to frequent pedestrian use around the 70th Street–70th–72nd Street subway station and to requests from the volunteer group Friends of Verdi Square to provide closer water service for planting maintenance.

Why it matters: The path would provide barrier-free access at a site designated a scenic landmark in 1975, and the commission concluded the paving and curb work would be a modest alteration that does not “detract from the significant historic character of the scenic landmark.” However, speakers and commissioners made a clear distinction between the path (the item before the commission) and the water-service work (being reviewed at staff level and by other agencies), urging further review of the latter because of visual and construction impacts.

New York City Parks’ presentation noted the square’s constraints — MTA vaults, mature trees and tree roots, the Verdi monument and existing catch basins — which largely determine where both a path and utilities can be installed. Young said the agency initially proposed asphalt for the path but, after community feedback, is proposing a gravel-filled grid to better match the garden character of the square.

Public testimony supported the path but questioned the need for a new above-ground backflow-preventer enclosure. John Graham, speaking for the Victorian Society in New York, said the application’s shift from asphalt to a “stabilized gravel path that will blend with the informal gravel surfaced seating area” was appropriate, but he urged the commission and Parks to seek a DEP determination about whether an exposed backflow device is required at this site or whether an exemption or alternative could be used for aesthetic reasons. Graham also noted two existing hose bibs on the exterior of the IRT control house and urged Parks to investigate whether volunteers could use those instead of installing new waterlines and an above-ground enclosure, a change he said would “save hundreds of thousands of dollars and avoid disruption and visual intrusiveness.”

Megan Fitzpatrick, speaking for Landmark West, and Lucy Levine, speaking for the Historic Districts Council, both said they support the accessibility improvements and the change away from asphalt. Levine added that the proposal “still makes no provision for restoring the planting that will be extensively disrupted by this construction,” and she repeated the suggestion that existing hose bibs be considered.

Commission discussion focused on the path materials, curb cutting and how to minimize visual impacts of any required water equipment. Commissioner Lutfi said the gravel-grid approach “has this natural feeling to it,” and other commissioners described the diamond-grid surface as compatible with the site. Parks staff told commissioners they are working with landscape architects to screen the required RPZ/backflow device with evergreen plantings and noted that the hose-bib option is complicated because the bibs are on a building the parks department does not control and would require running hoses across a busy intersection.

Formal action: The commission voted to issue a favorable advisory report for docket LPC 25-06032 (Verdi Square) recommending that the proposed curbing modifications and the gravel-grid path not “eliminate or significantly affect any significant landscape feature” and that the work will provide barrier-free access. The roll call as recorded in the hearing indicated nine votes in favor and none opposed; the motion passed.

What remains unresolved: The water service and the related backflow-preventer enclosure were reviewed at staff level and raised repeatedly in public comment. Speakers asked the commission and Parks to seek a DEP determination about exemptions for aesthetic reasons and to test whether existing hose bibs on the adjacent subway control house or on a nearby Parks food kiosk could serve volunteer gardeners. Parks staff said they will continue to study alternatives and plant screening for the RPZ.

Next steps: With the favorable advisory report for the path, Parks and project consultants will proceed with design and concurrent reviews (including the Public Design Commission for work on the subway plaza). Parks will continue coordinating site constraints and alternatives for water service and return to the relevant agencies as needed.