What should the East Side Coastal Resiliency Plan look like? Earlier visioning renderings from ESCR planning sessions with the community show marshes and wetlands with bridges and salt-water-resistant plantings. These are accommodations to sea level rise and storm surges. The parkland becomes a sponge that absorbs flood waters. Where our bulkheads (the promenade along the…
An open letter to City Council Member Carlina Rivera I read in City & State that you said I was behind the “Chinzilla” poster* and another with an image of you and the mayor. I am not behind either poster nor is East River Park Action. I apologized and withdrew the social media post I…
We need East River Park in all the seasons. We need a better flood control plan. Photos and text by Tommy Loeb.
We have a new air and soil watchdog Air In this neighborhood with high asthma rates, we need to know what’s we are breathing now before the city starts tearing up East River Park. The East Side Coastal Resiliency project will take down 1,000 trees that cleanse the air. The demolition will release particulate matter…
Toilets Overflow but Erasing Art Comes First The city was in a big hurry to demolish protest art in East River Park this morning. They’re in a big hurry to demolish East River Park itself. Why? A woman approached a Parks Department employee on the promenade by the amphitheater where six official vehicles parked. “The…
Yes, there is lead in East River Park These samples, collected by Wendy Brawer, were close to the surface. Last year, in 2019, AKRF, which “provides environmental, planning, and engineering consulting services,” had big machines drilling holes all over East River Park. They said they were doing soil tests. What was the composition of that…
I asked questions in July. It’s September. We need action. “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” –Shirley Chisholm City Council Member Carlina Rivera and I (along with Rivera’s staffer Ivy Rosado) Zoomed on July 21. We went over many vital questions about the East Side Coastal Resiliency…
Corey Johnson is running for Mayor. Carlina Rivera is running for a second term. Keep an eye on where they get their campaign contributions. This city does not have to continue to be owned and operated by real estate and construction. Does it?
Hello Ruthless Closing Plan for East River Park The city promised it would leave 40 percent of the park open throughout construction. Here is their draft map for the 60 percent they will fence off in November. The rust-colored sections on the map will be closed and under construction for two years minimum. The recently…
Interim Flood Protection for the Lower East Side and East Village Deserves a second look. A tropical storm is beating up New York. Temporary barriers have been installed at the South Street Seaport and the Wall Street areas. Nothing is being done for the equally low-lying Lower East Side and East Village. The Office of…