Rep. Nadler and NYC Parks Commissioner Benepe Announce $6 Million for Riverside Park South

Agreement Passed by Senate and House Marks End to Years-Long Logjam

NEW YORK – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-08) and New York City Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe announced today that together with Senators Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton, they have ended a years-long logjam and secured $6 million in Federal funding for Riverside Park South, along the Hudson River between 59th and 72nd Streets in New York City.

“By finding a solution that enables us to finally use this money for a project everyone can get behind, we’ve won a real victory for the West Side,” said Congressman Nadler. “This resolution will help ensure that we don’t have a future funding shortfall that gets in the way of finishing a park years in the making.”

“We are grateful for Congressman Nadler’s efforts to ensure there is sufficient funding available to fully achieve the vision for Riverside Park South,” said Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “When complete, this will be a waterfront park for the 21st Century and a golden asset for all New Yorkers.”

The funding was secured in a provision of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) Technical Corrections Act of 2008 by redirecting money previously appropriated to construct an underground tunnel for the Miller Highway. Those appropriations had gone unreleased for years by the Federal Highway Administration.

The SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections Act of 2008, passed on April 17 by the Senate and April 30 by the House, specifically redirects the Miller Highway funding to “pedestrian paths, stairs, seating, landscaping, lighting, and other transportation enhancement activities along Riverside Boulevard and at Riverside Park South.” It is expected that President Bush will sign it into law.