Pier 35 will be home to a new landscaped EcoPark

The city's East River Waterfront Package 3 work is slated to begin in the coming weeks, with significant utility work planned along South Street. Crews will replace a large water main along South Street between Pike Slip and Pier 35 (approximately at Jefferson Street), and replace all fire hydrants on the west side of South Street from Robert Wagner Place (at the Brooklyn Bridge) to Montgomery Street.

Additional work for the $24 million project phase includes repair and installation of new lighting under the FDR Drive east girder, from Maiden Lane to Pier 35. Renovation of Pier 35 itself also recently got underway, including pile and other structural rehabilitation. The pier will be rebuilt as a 1,000-foot-long, landscaped open space, featuring a new "EcoPark" with an innovative eco-habitat and plantings.

The esplanade along and under the FDR Drive also will get a makeover to match the waterfront areas further south. This area will add bocce, petanque, and basketball courts, an exercise area, East River lookout areas, and other improvements.

View more details in the Economic Development Corporation's presentation here.

Towards the end of the project, the East River bikeway will be restored along South Street between Old Slip and John Street, following utility work in the area. Package 3 work also will complete new esplanade construction between Maiden Lane and Fulton Street. Package 3 work is expected to last 18 months, through approximately early 2014.

East River Waterfront esplanade improvements have been opened in phases since 2011, including the pilot section -- complete with a dog park and "get-downs" for visitors to sit by the water -- and the two-story Pier 15.

Meanwhile, Package 2 esplanade work continues between the Battery Maritime Building and Old Slip, including utility and roadway reconstruction through approximately January 2013. The newly constructed Maiden Lane pavilion and Pier 15 vendor spaces are expected to open in 2012.

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