Pexels / Richard Harris & Sacha Moreau
Pretty soon, New Yorkers might not need to hop on the Q train to Coney Island’s Luna Park to take a spin on a ferris wheel–they could be riding one right in the heart of Midtown Manhattan instead.
The 34th Street Partnership, the business improvement district that manages the pedestrian plazas connecting Herald Square Park and Greeley Square Park, has officially put out a bid searching for a business to “enhance the area’s atmosphere”–but this won’t be your typical NYC green space.
According to the newly released Request for Proposals (RFP), the partnership is seeking vendors to bring amusement rides, mechanical attractions, arcade games, or similar outdoor activities to the busy commercial corridor.
Because who needs just tables, chairs, and umbrellas when you could have a ferris wheel spinning in the middle of midtown?!
From Pedestrian Plaza to Midtown Carnival
Located at Broadway and 6th Avenue (between West 32nd and West 36th Streets), the target area sits directly in the shadow of the iconic Macy’s Herald Square flagship. It’s one of the most heavily trafficked pedestrian corridors in New York City.
The Foot Traffic: An estimated 100 million people pass through these plazas every single year, according to the Office of Citywide Event Coordination and Management
The Current Vibe: Since the 2009 “Broadway Boulevard” project closed parts of Broadway to vehicular traffic, the plaza has primarily housed chairs, tables, planters, umbrellas, and occasional programming like dance classes or pop-up markets
The Future Vision: If the proposal is successful, nearly 39,759 square feet of the plazas would be transformed into Midtown’s first-ever amusement park
Flickr / 34th Street Partnership
The Rules of the Rides
While the prospect of a carnival outside Penn Station and Macy’s sounds thrilling, the 34th Street Partnership has outlined several strict operational guidelines to ensure the attractions don’t disrupt the flow of the city:
No Permanent Structures: All rides, games, and attractions must be movable. No permanent infrastructure will be permitted in the plazas
Strict Operating Hours: Amusements cannot open before 7 am or operate past 11 pm, ensuring the area quiets down overnight
Clear Walkways: Concessions and attractions absolutely cannot block pedestrian walkways or impede public safety
Immaculate Upkeep: The winning operator must clean the area continuously throughout the day—trash buildup for end-of-day removal is strictly prohibited
Flickr / 34th Street Partnership
Is an amusement park definitely coming to the area?
Well, no–at least not yet.
As of right now, this is simply a proposal. The 34th Street Partnership is actively searching for a business to answer the bid.
The vendor that wins the contract will enter into an initial one-year agreement with the Partnership, with the option for another four years of renewed contracts down the line. The deadline for businesses to submit their ambitious carnival plans is fast approaching, with proposals officially due by 10 am on October 13, 2026.
If a winning bid is selected and approved by the Department of Transportation, the daily commute through Midtown Manhattan is about to get a lot more entertaining.
The Quick Details
What: A proposed outdoor public amusement park featuring rides and arcade games
Where: Herald Square Plaza and Greeley Square Park (Broadway and 6th Avenue, between W 32nd and W 36th Streets)
When: Proposals are due October 13, 2026; opening dates are TBD pending a winning bid