MAKING IT WITH - FOR - ABOUT- THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Sunnyside Public Space Project

2024,2025

In Fall 2024, Queens Lighting Collective (QLC) was selected to participate in the Urban Design Forum’s Connected Corridors program as the lighting design firm for Sunnyside Shines, the neighborhood’s Business Improvement District. In collaboration with di Domenico + Partners (Architecture and Planning) and Phillips Lytle LLP (Legal), the team worked to study and reimagine Sunnyside’s public spaces and foster stronger connections among its diverse communities.

The project deliverables included:

A temporary lighting installation, Gateway to Sunnyside
A temporary space activation, Sunnyside Night Market, as a proof of concept for community engagement and learning
A Vision Plan for Sunnyside’s public spaces, outlining long-term goals and outcomes

QLC had three primary responsibilities on the project. First, to provide lighting design support and implementation for both the Gateway to Sunnyside installation and the Sunnyside Night Market activation. Second, to leverage our deep ties to the neighborhood by developing engagement strategies, planning tools, and communication materials. Third, to support and help guide the development of the Vision Plan for Sunnyside’s public spaces.

Community Engagement Efforts

Working in collaboration with dDP, and Sunnyside Shines our outreach combined digital tools and in-person efforts to ensure all voices in Sunnyside were heard. We connected with residents through multilingual messaging, pop-ups in key locations, and at local cultural events. We spoke with seniors at the Sunnyside Community Center about how the neighborhood has changed over 30 years and led a creative AI workshop with students at Aviation High School.

A key part of our approach was sparking community excitement and ownership. By taking part in creative projects, residents reimagined their connection to public space and helped shape future possibilities.

Early on, we formed a 17-person community advisory group to help guide the project. We called them “Local Experts” to honor their lived experience and insight. This diverse group—parents, artists, business owners, and organizers—played a vital role in shaping our work.

Joy and Celebration

Sunnyside’s complexity lies in its diversity of languages, cultures, and histories, creating unique engagement challenges. Reaching insular cultural groups, overcoming language barriers, and addressing concerns tied to immigration status require thoughtful and inclusive approaches. This diversity is both a strength and a challenge, demanding tailored outreach strategies that reflect the neighborhood’s unique character.

To foster meaningful participation, we developed materials that encouraged neighbors to engage with key questions while creating a culture of play, joy, and imagination. We prioritized visual and action-based strategies—like sticker polls, drawing exercises, chalking, and collaborative art-making accessible across language barriers. Engagement took place across several public spaces, with repeated visits to key areas such as plazas and streets. Activities were conducted during both active cultural events and more passive moments to better understand how these spaces function in different contexts.

Sunnyside Night Market

Sunnyside is defined by the historic 7 train viaduct, which offers a unique opportunity to activate public space. Sunnyside Shines manages two key transit plazas beneath the train: Lowery Plaza at 40th Street and Queens Blvd, and Bliss Plaza at 46th Street and Queens Blvd.

These plazas feature striking architecture—rows of columns and arches that frame views east and west. While they’re used daily by commuters, vendors, and locals, they lack elements that make them feel welcoming. Lighting is dim yet harsh, surfaces are monotone, and bird droppings and missing tiles make the space feel neglected.

Bliss Plaza at 46th Street already has a vibrant street life, so we focused our Night Market at Lowery Plaza and its adjacent parking bays to spark new energy there.

Through community engagement, we heard a clear desire to make Lowery Plaza more active and inviting. Common requests included more greenery, better maintenance, and public art. Residents also suggested markets, live music, and more seating. Local students emphasized the need for open space to play sports like soccer and run, as those options are currently limited.

Design:

Sunnyside Night Market was the first in a series of pilot events designed to activate the underused space beneath the 7 train.

Rooted in the idea that markets should reflect the neighborhoods they serve, the event was hyper-local—celebrating Sunnyside’s character and the iconic 7 train viaduct. Its location near transit helped draw commuters and passersby, drawn in by the sights, sounds, and smells.

To the west, local vendors lined the space with food, handmade goods, and art, set against colorfully lit columns that highlighted the arched structure above. To the east, a lively stage featured cultural performances including Ecuadorian dancers, Mexican artists, and a brass band. The market transformed the parking & plaza into a vibrant community gathering—full of light, music, food, and connection.

Queens Lighting Collective played a key role, helping design the lighting, recruit vendors and performers, lead community outreach, and ran a free arts and crafts area featuring chalk drawing and mask-making for all ages.

Vision Plan

Led by dDP, the final project deliverable was a vision plan for Sunnyside’s public space. The final document was completed in spring 2025. The plan reflects the multitudinous efforts of the team and empowerment of the community.

>>> Vision Plan

Partners and Collaborators: