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Mayor Bloomberg reveals the latest plans for redeveloping the city's waterfront
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A waterfront esplanade complete with places to have picnics and cook burgers on outdoor grills is among the many features in the latest plans to redevelop the two-mile area along the East River, the mayor revealed Tuesday, May 31. The largest downtown rebuilding effort outside of the 16-acre World Trade Center site to receive funding from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC), the riverside redevelopment project will create a virtually continuous greenway between Battery Park and East River Park half the size of Central Park
Replacing uninviting concrete slabs with a playground, bikeways, and several planted seating areas, the "dramatic transformation" of the waterfront will also succeed in "reconnecting the diverse communities of the Financial District, Chinatown, and the Lower East Side to the East River waterfront," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said at Tuesday's press conference, held on Pier 35. According to the plans, which were developed by the Department of City Planning (DCP), the pier itself will offer new waterfront amenities, including a boat launch, picnic tables, and outdoor grills, as well as safe, convenient walkways to connect the waterfront to its adjacent communities.
Since community input was essential in the planning phases for this project, the design team, which includes New York-based SHoP Architects, the Richard Rogers Partnership from London, and landscape architect Ken Smith, worked in close partnership with the neighboring communities in Lower Manhattan. Over the past year, they held more than 70 meetings with local community boards, tenant associations, civic leaders, maritime experts, and local elected officials. Building off of community feedback, they returned to each meeting with detailed concept sketches and options for alternative designs. The result was a "flexible plan," said Greg Pasquarelli of SHoP Architects, who joined the mayor at the outdoor announcement.
Since the inception of the East River Waterfront Study in early 2003, multiple city agencies and world-renowned architects have worked together to undertake an ambitious effort designed to attract more New Yorkers, as well as tourists, to the historic riverside area. The LMDC announced last week that $150 million of the remaining $800 million Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds designated for rebuilding Lower Manhattan would be provided for the project. With funding now in place, the city will begin implementation of the plans immediately.
"This initiative will transform this underutilized area to a year-round recreational oasis for Lower Manhattan families," said LMDC President Stefan Pryor. "Chain-link fences and concrete barriers will be replaced by cultural facilities, unique recreational spaces, and community amenities."
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| The latest designs for redeveloping the East River Waterfront |
The preliminary process will include environmental review and creation of detailed designs for the esplanade and open spaces, as well as rehabilitation of pier structures. Immediate improvements will likely be made along the slips and other adjacent inland open spaces. Pending approval from relevant city, state, and federal agencies, additional improvements will be made over the next three to five years. The implementation of the East River Waterfront Plan fulfills a key element of the Mayor's Vision for Lower Manhattan announced in December 2002.
The waterfront esplanade is the most important component of this project. The new waterfront walkway will include traditional waterfront amenities like seating and plantings, as well as innovative improvements such as new cladding and enhanced lighting beneath the FDR Drive. New pavilions planned for underneath the FDR viaduct would include commercial, cultural, and community uses to complement the public open spaces by bringing much-needed activity to the city's waterfront.
The East River Waterfront Plan focuses on the following ten foundation projects:
- The Battery Maritime Building: The space in front of the Battery Maritime Building (BMB) is one of two critical gateways to the new East River esplanade. The proposed plan calls for moving the Battery Tunnel entrance 350 feet to the northeast, clearing the way for a new plaza in front of the BMB.
- Pier 15: The pier will be rebuilt to provide open public spaces and a better environment for marine life.
- Burling Slip: The current parking lot at Burling Slip will be transformed into a playground.
- New Market Building: The existing building and pier will be rebuilt to be used for community, maritime, and commercial activities. A new transient boat marina will provide a location for visiting vessels, boating enthusiasts, and amateurs to anchor.
- Peck Slip: A plaza with a pool will be built where water from the East River once flowed into this slip. In the winter, the pool could be transformed into a skating rink. A small planted seating area will replace the existing parking lot.
- The Esplanade: The new esplanade will consist of a recreation zone along the water's edge with seating and plantings, a program zone under the FDR Drive for pavilions and outdoor activities, and a bikeway along South Street. A system of consistent paving, seating, railings, and plantings will be used throughout.
- Slip Prototype: A 'landscape prototype' will be developed for Catherine, Rutgers, and Montgomery Slips. This prototype will include benches, new paving, and cobblestone similar to those used along the esplanade. Plantings will include riparian trees and vegetation.
- Pike/Allen Street: The existing pedestrian malls will be replaced by planted medians with seating areas at each of the cross streets. Plantings will reflect the local character of each area the street passes through, utilizing aquatic-type plants as the boulevard nears the East River.
- Pier 35: This large pier will be opened to the public and will provide access to new waterfront amenities, including a boat launch, a place for family gatherings, new picnic tables, and outdoor grills.
- East RiverPark Connector: The area in front of Pier 42 is a crucial link to East River Park. Exiting barriers will be removed to create a wider, safer entrance into the park. Planted berms will screen the esplanade from noise and traffic generated by the FDR Drive. In the future, Pier 42 could be rebuilt to make way for a new urban beach floating above the East River.
To view the latest presentation of the East River Waterfront Study and the options considered for a new and improved esplanade and for redefined public spaces, please click here.
To view images of the redevelopment project, please click here.
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