For the purposes of this Section 93-72, inclusive, 450 West 33rd Street shall be considered the area bounded by the eastern street line of Tenth Avenue, the northern street line of West 31st Street, a line 302 feet east of the eastern street line of Tenth Avenue and the southern street line of West 33rd Street. Such area shall include the tax lots located at Block 729, Lots 1 and 15, existing on April 29, 2014. Any development or enlargement in such area shall provide public access areas in accordance with the provisions of this Section. However, if a special permit has been granted for the development of an arena pursuant to Section 74-41 in the area bounded by the western street line of Ninth Avenue, the northern street line of West 31st Street, a line 498 feet west of the western street line of Ninth Avenue and the southern street line of West 33rd Street, the provisions of this Section may be waived or modified in conjunction with such special permit. All public access areas listed in this Section shall be accessible to the public between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 1:00 a.m.

(a)        Through block connection

A publicly accessible through block connection shall be provided within 10 feet of the prolonged center line of West 32nd Street, at an elevation that connects the Tenth Avenue pedestrian bridge required pursuant to paragraph (g) in Section 93-71 with the Dyer Avenue Platform required pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section and paragraph (e) of Section 93-73 (Public Access Areas on the Ninth Avenue Rail Yard). Public access shall also be provided between such through block connection and the Tenth Avenue sidewalk.

For developments or enlargements where 75 percent or less of the total floor area existing on the zoning lot on January 19, 2005, has been demolished, such through block connection shall be open or enclosed and have a minimum clear width of 30 feet. If enclosed, at least 75 percent of such through block connection shall have a minimum clear height of 30 feet, and the remainder shall have a minimum clear height of 20 feet.

For developments or enlargements where more than 75 percent of the total floor area existing on the zoning lot on January 19, 2005, is demolished, such through block connection shall have a minimum width of 60 feet and a minimum clear path of 20 feet, and have retail uses fronting upon at least 50 percent of its northern and southern boundaries. At least 60 percent of such through block connection shall be enclosed, with an average clear height of 60 feet and a roof of transparent material that allows for natural daylight to enter. Direct access shall be provided to any building adjacent to such through block connection. The maximum height of a building wall along the southern boundary of the through block connection shall not exceed the average height of the enclosed portion, or the height at which an arched or angled ceiling of the enclosed through block connection begins, whichever is less. Any portion of a building that exceeds such height shall be set back at least 20 feet in depth from the southern boundary of the through block connection. Any portion of such through block connection that is open to the sky shall comply with the provisions for public plazas set forth in Sections 37-718, 37-726, 37-728, 37-741, 37-742, 37-743, 37-744, 37-75, 37-76 and 36-77.

An enlargement that does not increase the total floor area on the zoning lot to more than 1,373,700 square feet, shall not be considered an enlargement for purposes of this paragraph (a).

(b)        Dyer Avenue Platform

A permanent easement shall be provided along the eastern edge of 450 West 33rd Street, as shown on Map 1 (Subdistrict B: 450 West 33rd Street and Ninth Avenue Rail Yard Public Access Area Plan) in Appendix B of this Chapter, for the purposes of constructing the Dyer Avenue Platform required pursuant to paragraph (d) of Section 93-73. Such easement shall have a minimum width of 33 feet. Any amenities required by paragraph (d) of Section 93-73 may be located within such easement.

(c)        West 31st Street Passageway

A publicly accessible passageway space, (hereinafter referred to as the "West 31st Street passageway") shall be provided connecting the Tenth Avenue podium required pursuant to paragraph (d) of this Section to the Dyer Avenue Platform required pursuant to paragraph (d) of Section 93-73, as shown on Map 1 in Appendix B. The West 31st Street passageway shall be located at the same elevation as the Dyer Avenue Platform. Such space shall be located within 35 feet of West 31st Street, have a minimum clear path of 10 feet and be visually open to West 31st Street except for structural elements of the building at 450 West 33rd Street.  

(d)        Tenth Avenue podium

(1)        Location and minimum dimensions

A publicly accessible area (hereinafter referred to as the "Tenth Avenue podium") shall be provided at the corner of Tenth Avenue and West 31st Street, as shown on Map 1 in Appendix B. The Tenth Avenue podium shall have a minimum area of 1,800 square feet, be located at the same elevation as the Dyer Avenue Platform required pursuant to paragraph (d) of Section 93-73, and shall connect to the West 31st Street passageway required pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section.

(2)        Required amenities

The Tenth Avenue podium shall contain a minimum of four trees and be directly accessible from West 31st Street by a staircase and elevator. The stair and the adjoining area shall be open to West 31st Street except for columns and structural elements of the 450 West 33rd Street building.