RFP Issued for New East River Esplanade
Apr 12, 2011
Press Release
New York, NY – Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney, Manhattan Borough
President Scott Stringer, State Senator Liz Krueger, State Assembly
Members Brian Kavanagh and Jonathan Bing, and City Council Members Dan
Garodnick and Jessica Lappin expressed support for the Request for
Proposals (RFP) issued by the New York City Department of Economic
Development today regarding the creation of a new esplanade along the
East River. The RFP solicits proposals for a feasibility study that
would include engineering, design, landscaping and other planning
related to the new esplanade. Funding for the RFP comes from a $475,000
earmark obtained by Congresswoman Maloney, federal funding from the
Surface Transportation Program, and state funding from the Department of
Environmental Conservation.
“It’s great news that the city is exploring the feasibility of building an East River esplanade from 38th to 60th Streets. An esplanade would help address a longtime concern of many East Midtown residents -- the lack of open space. The Mayor has been staunchly advocating a green belt around Manhattan, but so far there has not been much concrete action in the east Midtown area. This study will help us gain a better understanding of the costs and complications involved in building a new esplanade at this location,” said Congresswoman Maloney.
“I applaud Congresswoman Maloney’s efforts to bring together federal and state funding sources to take a hard look at the feasibility of filling the gap in the East River Esplanade. Like our neighbors on the West Side, the East Side community deserves a world-class waterfront and enhanced public amenities. Collectively, we can build a shared vision for enhancing the East River waterfront by expanding public access, creating new opportunities for public recreation, and increasing connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists,” said Borough President Stringer.
"I applaud the City for taking the first steps necessary in reconnecting East Midtown to the water and closing the gap in the Waterfront Greenway between 38th & 60th Streets. For far too long, East Midtown has been cut off from the waterfront and these initial steps by the City will help lay the groundwork for improving much needed open space for the community," said Senator Krueger.
"For many years, our community and various city, state, and federal agencies have been discussing ways to allow people to use and enjoy our East Side waterfront. These discussions need to continue so we can work toward a consensus about the community’s priorities and figure out how we would fund a truly transformative plan in these difficult times,” said Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh, whose district includes the waterfront from the Williamsburg Bridge to 51st Street. "This engineering study will provide information that will be invaluable in our discussions, by helping to determine what’s feasible and what engineering challenges would need to be overcome if we want to go forward with an esplanade. I applaud Carolyn Maloney for having the foresight to secure funding for this kind of analysis and the City for taking this important step.”
"The East Side is a vibrant community with a rapidly growing population, but a lack of adequate green space. The East River Esplanade presents an opportunity to beautify and ‘green’ the riverfront on the East Side, creating a much anticipated destination for residents, families and tourists. I applaud the NYC Economic Development Corporation for issuing an RFP to move this process forward, and will continue to work with my colleagues in government to advance this important project," said Assemblymember Bing
"Today the Manhattan Greenway is like a beautiful smile missing its two front teeth -- but now the City is taking a significant step in trying to fill the gap," said Council Member Garodnick. "We believe there is great potential to be unlocked on the East Side waterfront, and we look forward to the next step in this process."
“This is a great step forward for the East Side as we seek to shape our waterfront into the community benefit that this neighborhood deserves. In an area starved for open space, the chance to expand access to the waterfront is cause for excitement. I’m pleased that EDC is taking this step and I look forward to working with them and my colleagues to make all of the East Side’s waterfront open and accessible for our community,” Council Member Lappin said.
“We are excited by the prospect something good finally happening on our waterfront. Community Board Six has spent decades planning and advocating for the creation of an esplanade. Rather than hiding our waterfront behind chain link fences and highways, we hope to see the day when we can actually enjoy the East River's shore. This RFP will allow us to understand the costs and actions needed to bring about the transformation of a major asset for our neighborhoods and our City, and Community Board Six looks forward to remaining a driving force in this process,” said Mark Thompson, Chair of Manhattan Community Board Six.
Background:
Community Board 6 is among the areas of New York City with the least amount of open space or park land and, accordingly, an esplanade along the East River would be a welcome amenity. The Mayor’s Vision 2020 New York City Comprehensive Waterfront Plan specifically calls for the creation of a new waterfront esplanade along the East River from 38th to 60th Streets as Part of Reach 1 East River South, Neighborhood Strategies 1a, 1b and 1c. The elected officials, representatives of Community Board 6 and representatives from the Bloomberg Administration had participated in a task force to explore ways to bring this project to fruition. This RFP brings that vision one step closer to reality.
“I applaud Congresswoman Maloney’s efforts to bring together federal and state funding sources to take a hard look at the feasibility of filling the gap in the East River Esplanade. Like our neighbors on the West Side, the East Side community deserves a world-class waterfront and enhanced public amenities. Collectively, we can build a shared vision for enhancing the East River waterfront by expanding public access, creating new opportunities for public recreation, and increasing connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists,” said Borough President Stringer.
"I applaud the City for taking the first steps necessary in reconnecting East Midtown to the water and closing the gap in the Waterfront Greenway between 38th & 60th Streets. For far too long, East Midtown has been cut off from the waterfront and these initial steps by the City will help lay the groundwork for improving much needed open space for the community," said Senator Krueger.
"For many years, our community and various city, state, and federal agencies have been discussing ways to allow people to use and enjoy our East Side waterfront. These discussions need to continue so we can work toward a consensus about the community’s priorities and figure out how we would fund a truly transformative plan in these difficult times,” said Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh, whose district includes the waterfront from the Williamsburg Bridge to 51st Street. "This engineering study will provide information that will be invaluable in our discussions, by helping to determine what’s feasible and what engineering challenges would need to be overcome if we want to go forward with an esplanade. I applaud Carolyn Maloney for having the foresight to secure funding for this kind of analysis and the City for taking this important step.”
"The East Side is a vibrant community with a rapidly growing population, but a lack of adequate green space. The East River Esplanade presents an opportunity to beautify and ‘green’ the riverfront on the East Side, creating a much anticipated destination for residents, families and tourists. I applaud the NYC Economic Development Corporation for issuing an RFP to move this process forward, and will continue to work with my colleagues in government to advance this important project," said Assemblymember Bing
"Today the Manhattan Greenway is like a beautiful smile missing its two front teeth -- but now the City is taking a significant step in trying to fill the gap," said Council Member Garodnick. "We believe there is great potential to be unlocked on the East Side waterfront, and we look forward to the next step in this process."
“This is a great step forward for the East Side as we seek to shape our waterfront into the community benefit that this neighborhood deserves. In an area starved for open space, the chance to expand access to the waterfront is cause for excitement. I’m pleased that EDC is taking this step and I look forward to working with them and my colleagues to make all of the East Side’s waterfront open and accessible for our community,” Council Member Lappin said.
“We are excited by the prospect something good finally happening on our waterfront. Community Board Six has spent decades planning and advocating for the creation of an esplanade. Rather than hiding our waterfront behind chain link fences and highways, we hope to see the day when we can actually enjoy the East River's shore. This RFP will allow us to understand the costs and actions needed to bring about the transformation of a major asset for our neighborhoods and our City, and Community Board Six looks forward to remaining a driving force in this process,” said Mark Thompson, Chair of Manhattan Community Board Six.
Background:
Community Board 6 is among the areas of New York City with the least amount of open space or park land and, accordingly, an esplanade along the East River would be a welcome amenity. The Mayor’s Vision 2020 New York City Comprehensive Waterfront Plan specifically calls for the creation of a new waterfront esplanade along the East River from 38th to 60th Streets as Part of Reach 1 East River South, Neighborhood Strategies 1a, 1b and 1c. The elected officials, representatives of Community Board 6 and representatives from the Bloomberg Administration had participated in a task force to explore ways to bring this project to fruition. This RFP brings that vision one step closer to reality.
Issues: