Press Release Archives #060-97 Waterfront Revitalization Program

Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 31, 1997

Release #060-97

Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958, Deirdra L. Picou (212) 788-2971
or Kim Stahlman Kearns (212) 720-3503

Mayor Giuliani Announces New York City's Waterfront Revitalization Program

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today released New York City's proposed Waterfront Revitalization Program, a new set of citywide policies to guide use of the City's waterfront. The plan establishes clear policies for governmental and private action and designates which parts of the waterfront are suitable for maritime and industrial uses, which should be maintained as natural areas, and which are available for public access, residential or commercial use.

The new Waterfront Revitalization Program (WRP), developed by the Department of City Planning, will replace the existing program of 56 undifferentiated and often contradictory goals. The new WRP will make it easier to develop maritime and industrial, commercial and residential projects in appropriate areas, while more clearly defining the natural areas where development is not appropriate.

Mayor Giuliani said, "This waterfront plan clearly describes our priorities and how we plan to accomplish them. By having a clear and officially adopted vision for our waterfront we will ensure New York City's maritime reinvigoration and industrial revitalization. More than 500 miles of incomparable waterfront will be programmed for port development, recreation, ecological protection, and residential and commercial development."

Over the past three years, Mayor Giuliani has advanced 180 significant projects along the City's waterfront. Among the most visible projects have been the plan to develop a hub port in Brooklyn and a new unnel to provide rail freight service to and from Brooklyn and the mainland. There are many other projects, also underway, that will have a profound impact on the lives of New Yorkers, on the economy and on the environment. The new WRP will create a clear and streamlined regulatory process that will allow these and future projects to be carried out more efficiently.

Among the many projects included in the Waterfront are:

BRONX - Hudson River Greenway Trail: The plan to design a waterfront trail from Dyckman Street to Westchester County is a key section of the proposed Hudson River Greenway.
BROOKLYN - Gateway Estates: An Urban Renewal Plan and rezoning approved in 1996 allows development of approximately 2,400 units of new housing, local shopping, a new school and open space on vacant land in the Spring Creek area of southern Brooklyn.
MANHATTAN - East River Bikeway and Esplanade: Preliminary design has been completed for a continuous pedestrian and cycling path from Pier A to 63rd Street.
QUEENS - Alley Pond Park Restoration: A coastal meadow is being created along Northern Boulevard to restore the habitat to its natural condition. The park's tidal and freshwater wetlands were restored in 1996.
STATEN ISLAND - Ferry Route: A new high-speed ferry route from St. George Ferry Terminal to East 34th Street began operating this month in Manhattan.

According to Planning Commission Chairman Joseph B. Rose, "Historically, a bureaucratic tangle and different agendas, compounded by the lack of a coherent and unified vision, had suppressed the potential of New York City's spectacular waterfront resources. This new waterfront revitalization program will allow everyone to work from the same playbook and focus on getting needed actions instead of pointing fingers of blame for inactivity."

The Giuliani Administration has worked cooperatively with the New York State Department of State for the past two years and has received approval to proceed with the WRP. The Mayor will submit the plan to the Community Boards, the Borough Presidents, the City Planning Commission and the City Council pursuant to Section 197-a of the City Charter. After approval by the City Council, the plan will then be submitted to the state and federal governments to be adopted as New York City's coastal zone management policies. All federal, state and city discretionary approvals will have to be consistent with these new WRP policies in order to be adopted. The Giuliani Administration will continue to work with community groups and elected officials to implement waterfront projects consistent with the plan.

Examples of Waterfront Projects Initiated or Advanced by the Giuliani Administration

Ferry service is back. Twelve new ferry and water taxi services are running or will begin running by the middle this year. These include service to Yankee Stadium, high speed lines from Brooklyn and Staten Island to Manhattan, and commuter service up and down the East River.

24 projects are underway to upgrade water quality in the harbor, which is now cleaner than it has been in the past 50 years. These projects range from improvements to water pollution control plants to the removal of floating debris in storm sewers.

19 maritime and industrial projects will improve the economy and produce jobs. The Howland Hook Marine Terminal is back in service. The new Pratt Industries plant will start receiving barge loads of paper for recycling in 1998.

19 residential and commercial projects will bring life to the waterfront. The approval of Gateway Estates in Brooklyn will create 2,385 units of housing, a new school and a new shopping center. Basketball City and the Equestrian Center will soon join Chelsea Piers in providing recreation on the Hudson. City Planning approvals will allow residential developments with waterfront walkways to move forward at Shorehaven in the Bronx and East Point in Queens.

Approximately 66 miles of pedestrian and bicycle paths to and along the waterfront have been completed or planned.

23 wetland and natural area restoration and acquisition projects will improve and protect the wildlife and vegetation of the City -- from meadow restoration at Alley Pond Park in Queens to acquisition of the Saw Mill Creek Park Preserve in Staten Island.