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…
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Art Destruction
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…
Soil Test
Yes, there is lead in East River Park These samples, collected by Wendy Brawer, were close to the surface. Last year, 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 fill? Why…
Unanswered
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…
Deference to Racist Rezoning
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?
Goodbye Promenade
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…
Not One Sandbag Part 2
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…
The Rivers Beneath the Streets
Does the East Side Coastal Resiliency incorporate East Village subterranean streams? Mapmaker Wendy Brawer wrote this in February 2019. The questions she asks have not been answered by the city as of the 7/16/20 CB3 Parks meeting. The consequences could be dire. I am haunted by the underground rivers I see in historical maps of Manhattan. I’m especially…
Not One Sandbag
The city says no to Interim Flood Protection We have been asking for temporary flood barriers because hurricane seasons are getting more fierce It’ll be at least three years before the city’s massive East Side Coastal Resiliency project will have flood walls that will block storm surges. A sketchy study proved it’s not possible. That’s…
Beyond Dystopic
How to Make a terrible situation far worse by Harriet Hirshorn, Lower East Side I’ve been thinking about the terrible timing of shutting down 60 percent of East River Park in September when schools will be open for in room classes only 1-3 times a week. I’m reading articles in the New York Times about…
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