The Department of Parks & Recreation and Pace University reconstructed an empty lot into a sitting area with 1964 New York World's Fair benches. Other features include decorative paving, granite and concrete curbs, and streetlights for public safety and to illuminate the bridge structure. The landscaping added around 20 new trees, with species including goldenrains, honey locusts and hollies. 1,100 shrubs were added, including perennials, ornamental grasses such as winter hazel, hydrangea, blue star, and striped ribbon grass. Nets keep birds away.[1]
The plaza had been named in 1989 in honor of John Christopher Drumgoole (1816–1888), a priest who helped thousands of homeless newsboys[1] who thronged the area when Park Row was the headquarters of New York City's major newspapers, including The New York Times in the building Pace now occupies at 41 Park Row.