DSNY Staten Island Garage

The office of the New York City Department of Design and Construction (NYC DDC) sent out a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the renovation of the District 1 & 3 Garage and Borough Repair Shop located in Fresh Kills Park, Staten Island.

In response, SBLM proposed a sustainable and resilient site plan which serves the dual purpose of public space and multi-functional municipal facilities.

Background

The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) is one of the critical components that comprise the backbone of New York City's vast municipal infrastructure. As the world's largest sanitation department, DSNY is responsible for garbage and recycling collection, street cleaning, snow and ice removal, and clearing abandoned cars and debris and waste from 6,500 miles of city streets. Through parades and placid days, the city of New York is completely dependent on DSNY and their services.

DSNY has 60 garages and facilities throughout the five boroughs.

The existing facility occupies 13.5 acres of site development, and 120,000 square feet of construction. The site includes various existing buildings, repair bays, garage space, vehicle parking, and operational support.

The DDC as part of the RFP included their Design and Construction Excellence 2.0 Mission Statement which highlights core concepts of healthy living, sustainability, resiliency and equity.

Response

SBLM’s proposal includes opportunities for community engagement, growth within the existing footprint, blending of the site with local ecology, and a pedestrian link between public and private.

One of the innovative upgrades proposed by SBLM is a learning center where visitors can obtain more information about the facility, local ecology, and the positive environmental and civic impact DSNY has.

Drawing inspiration from sod roofs of Norway, SBLM was able to achieve a modern, inviting, and ultimately a greener facility. The use of green roofs minimizes energy use and reduces greenhouse emissions. By implementing the local ecology to their advantage SBLM was able to use natural landscape elements for both an extensive and intensive green roof system. 

The green roof element for the facility captures airborne pollutants and atmospheric deposition, potentially decrease the amount of CO2, and remove heat from the air through evapotranspiration which will reduce temperatures of the roof surface and the surrounding air. 

Creating a therapeutic environment SBLM designed the facility to interact, invite movement, promote sustainable urban ecology, and ultimately promote access to outdoors.

Taking the principle of resiliency, the facility was designed to operate quickly in the instance if emergencies, and addressed multiple hazards. Taking into consideration the aftermath of hurricane Sandy and the multiple snow storms that affect the five boroughs, the site was designed for vehicles to flow in-and-out as quickly as possible. 

SBLM's proposal is designed for a more environmentally conscious site that combines the multi-functionality of a traditional DSNY garage, and the feasibility and responsiveness environment of a park.