Work recently began on the Tribeca segment of Hudson River Park

Members of the Tribeca community were joined last week by city and state leaders, rebuilding and parks officials, and other dignitaries to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Tribeca segment of Hudson River Park, which extends from Chambers Street to just below Houston Street. The project, set for completion in 2009, will include the revitalization of Pier 25 located just north of Harrison Street.

Governor George Pataki, Deputy Mayor Daniel Doctoroff, U.S. Representative Jerald Nadler, and officials from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC) and the Hudson River Park Trust were among those on hand to mark the project's start.

The plan calls for adding a number of amenities to Pier 25, including a playground, a recreation field, a miniature golf course, sand volleyball courts, a mooring field, and a snack bar. In addition, Pier 26, just north of Pier 25, will be revitalized. It will include a community boathouse for kayaking, a waterside restaurant, and an estuarium. Additional elements include two basketball courts, a skate park, a dog run, public art, waterside platforms, and landscaped lawns and gardens, as well as tennis courts that have already been completed.

"A key part of the revitalization of Lower Manhattan has been the creation of new open and green spaces that provide residents and visitors with improved recreational, cultural, and educational amenities," Pataki said in a statement announcing the groundbreaking. "When completed, this tremendous project will offer new beautifully landscaped grounds, new fields, athletic courts, and playgrounds and unparalleled access to the scenic beauty of the Hudson River, which can be enjoyed by downtown's families, neighboring schools, and the entire city."

Daniel Doctoroff, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Rebuilding and Vice Chairman of the Hudson River Park Trust, also lauded the plans. "Today marks another significant step forward in our efforts to reclaim New York City's shoreline and revitalize our waterfront properties," he said in a statement. "This newest section of the park will certainly be a spectacular addition to what is already proving to be one of the world's greatest waterfront amenities," he added.

Revitalization of the Tribeca segment of Hudson River Park is funded through $70 million in grants from the LMDC. An additional $5.6 million in federal transportation funds has been designated for the pedestrian walkway. Landscape Architects Sasaki Associates and Mathews Nielsen, architects Weisz and Yoes, and marine engineers DMJM+Harris and HPA Associates designed the Tribeca portion of the project, and Turner Construction will manage and supervise the construction.