Our park is still going to be killed, just in a slower and more messy, ugly way.
The Mayor’s press release today announces Phased Construction of East River Park. It is what many in the community have demanded, says the release. Read the text of it here:
This is not good. Our park will still be completely destroyed—just over a longer period of time—five years instead of the original three and a half years.
The city is ignoring the neighborhood’s demands: 1) preserve as much of the park as possible. 2) Construct a resilient coastline—not a massive wall along the river. 3) Construct flood protection along the FDR. 4) Provide interim flood protection during years of construction.
It looks like the whole promenade will be closed while the city builds an 8-10 foot solid flood wall along the river.
The city will say it’s the neighborhood’s fault the timeline is longer because we asked for phased construction. In fact, it’s because they were never going to be able to get it all done in three and a half years, and they knew it. One of the Department of Design and Construction officials said to Wendy Brawer that only the flood control portion would be done by 2023. The park would then be reconstructed.
Say NO to this destructive plan. #SAVEEASTRIVERPARK.
Here’s Danny Meyers’ take on the Mayor’s new plan:
It is not feasible or functional to have on sight huge machinery of the magnitude needed to destroy half the park and for humans to have peaceful and safe use of the remainder. Virtually all trees and all recreational facilities will still be sacrificed with this division.
Shows how disingenuous the mayor is. Let’s experiment. Let’s consider dividing Gracie Mansion in two. Won’t take long to see the dwellers flee. We, on the other hand, can’t flee to an accessible, similar park that affords to all 58 acres of pleasure, recreation, physical and mental health.
It is piecemeal on route to complete destruction.
We say
No Way: Take the Waterway!
See you tomorrow.
Danny
Danny is referring to the hearing at City Hall tomorrow. Go and testify! Here’s how:
I will be st the hearing tomorrow and will speak about the short sighted and redundant flood protection planning. I will ask why the greatest city in the world does not create a Thames like flood barrier across the Verrizano inlet. The barrier has been in operation since 1982 and even better techniques exist today. It would protect a much larger amount of waterfront.
WE really need to address the issue of our elected “officials” SCREWING”us. President DeBlasios plan is reflective of an egomaniac who wasted OUR time/and money to declare himself a nominee for the President of the United States Of America. Travel to various states etc etc. Hard to believe, right??? Instead of doing his “job” here which he asked for..he had higher aspirations so took time off to follow them. Pathetic. Now THIS man is going to lead us??? Where is Rivera’s head at?? Destroy a 57 acre park to “help the environment”? WE need to get serious and vote for people we TRUST to lead us, to PROTECT us. In this low point of American history (Trump is president) WE need to fight back. VOTE for people who will do WHAT IS BEST FOR US .. our families.. our City … our Earth. Francis A Schiro.
You gonna destroy a park , but what happens south of the park along the FDR to the Ferry and up the West Side Highway, and North of the park along the FDR all the way to upper Manhattan and to the Bronx. Killing the East River Park ( aka Jackson Park ) would make NO SENSE.
Manhattan will still be flooded but you want to kill A park
. . . this is NUTS! but then, again, from this current Administration and climate what else should we expect . . . there ARE alternatives that are being ignored. Going to alter this neighborhood — and that’s putting it mild. NOT to mention the countless beautiful old trees that will be destroyed and the vermin that it’s going to stir up in land that hasn’t been altered in many years. Yes, something has to be done — any dope would know that — however, the alternatives should at least be explored. There is NO need for a massive, sweeping demonstration of destruction here.