3. Existing Conditions 125125Th Street Fig 3.1 Site Context 25Th25t255th5 Strstre

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

3. Existing Conditions 125125th Street Fig 3.1 Site Context 25th25t255th5 StrStre

Louis Cuvillier Park RFK Bridge Port Morris idgeiddgdged e 116th Street Oak Point ManhattanM h r Yard

Valley Randall’s Island Park East River Bronx Kill Mall Randall’sRaRanandaallll East Harlem MCSM Jefferson IslandIslla d Long 106th Street Park Little Island Central Hell Gate Sound Park

East River Wards Island Playground Pier 107 Sewage Treatment Facility Astoria Gas Generating Playground Station 96th Street 103 Wards Island Bridge CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITASMetropolitan CIVITASm RCIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITASEast River CIVITAS Hospital Center HellHe Gate Bridge Harlem River Ward’s Island eel Park CarnegieC Stanley Isaacs Marine Transfer Station Playground ridge Hill dg e 90th Street Ferry Terminal Ave Ruppert th Park Mill RFK Bridge 5th5 Ave 86th Street Rock Hell Gate Astoria Asphalt Park Madison Ave Green Pot Horn’s Whitney Ford Park Ave Cove Hook Field Lexington Ave 3rd Ave Yorkville Upperp CIVITAS CIVITAS2nd Ave CIVITASCarl CIVITASSchurz CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS EastEEa Park 79th Street SideS 1st Ave

York Ave East End Ave 72nd Street Hallet’s Cove Grand Central Parkway John Jay Astoria Park Socrates Sculpture 67th Street Lenox Hill Con Ed Park Rainey Park CIVITAS CIVITASNY CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS Presbyterian East River Roosevelt Island Hospital Bridge The Rockefeller University 59th Street Roosevelt Island Str Ravenswood 24 Sycamores Ravenswood Park Generating Station Andrew Haswell Sutton Ed Koch QueensboroGreen BridgePark Legend

Place Queensbridge Esplanade Access Points Park e Commercial and Ofﬁce Buildings Transportation and Utility Public Facilities and Institutions Open Space and Outdoor Recreation FDR Four Freedoms Dutch Kills Park Long Island City Green Parking Facilities

12 East River Esplanade Vision Plan Introduction The Esplanade also provides wide distant Establishing a thorough understanding views, open blue sky, proximity to the river, of the East River Esplanade’s contextual bright sunlight, river breezes, and respite environment was the first step toward from the urban grid. However, participants beginning the process of discerning related at the community and stakeholder meetings opportunities. Initially, it was necessary to expressed optimism that the experience decipher which elements were intrinsic for could be vastly improved. generating effective research. Fundamental During the meetings with community elements were determined to be physical members and stakeholders, recurring characteristics, adjacent land uses, planned complaints and wishes were aired. These projects, site circulation and connectivity themes included: noise, the lack of to the greater city. The following section restrooms and other utilities, difficulty provides a summary of the key factors that of access from certain places, lack of a will impact future planning efforts and clear separation between bicyclists and guide opportunities for improvement to the pedestrians, and pinch points where the Esplanade. lack of space makes use difficult. Safety CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITASwas mentioned, butCIVITAS largely in the context CIVITAS of CIVITAS CIVITAS inadequate access to the Esplanade in the Views event that a person needs an ambulance Because of the expansive openness of the or police officer. Comments regarding Harlem and East Rivers, the Esplanade maintenance tended to focus on the overall offers many interesting views out towards deterioration of the structure, sinkholes, the water and back to the city. The swift and the closed Pier 107 pavilion. Hudson moving East River is surrounded by the River Park was cited numerous times in tall buildings of the Upper East Side and comparison. The references frequently Roosevelt Island, which feel within close noted the quality of opportunities available, proximity to an Esplanade user. At Carl basic amenities such as restrooms, the level CIVITASSchurz Park, CIVITAS far-reaching views CIVITAS open up to CIVITASof upkeep, and the CIVITAS separation of pedestrians CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS the presence of the large bay and Hell Gate. and bicyclists. However, views feel more compressed when seen from sections of the Esplanade that parallel Roosevelt Island, and Randall’s and Physical Plan of Esplanade Wards Island. Views of the Queensboro, The East River Esplanade from 60th to RFK, Hell Gate, and Wards Island Bridges 125th street is the focus of this study, and are some of the best in the city. is approximately 3.1 acres in area and over 3.4 miles in length (DPR). Officially named the Bobby Wagner Walk and sometimes Quality of Experience referred to as the East River Walk or FDR CIVITASThe quality CIVITAS of a user’s experienceCIVITAS on CIVITASDrive Greenway, theCIVITAS Esplanade is one CIVITAS of the CIVITAS CIVITAS the Esplanade is dependent upon their oldest portions of the Manhattan Waterfront perception of the space. Maintenance, Greenway. In 2003, cyclists were permitted cleanliness, noise, safety, programming, on the Esplanade and this created a multi- access, character, physical dimensions, use zone along a narrow path with no physical and design are all characteristics of a separation delineated between cyclists and place that shape the user’s overall quality pedestrians. There are numerous narrow of experience. Despite its flaws, people portions along the Esplanade with several continually utilize this segment of the extreme constriction points that will be Esplanade because it is one of the few places discussed later in this report. Examples are in New York City that offers a continuous, the path adjacent to Consolidated Edison car-free environment where pedestrian and (Con Ed), the 81st Street staircase, and bicycle movement is not interrupted with north of 120th Street. stoplights and crosswalks. Ironically, the experience is still automobile-dominated because of the adjacent FDR. The ability to move at one’s own pace, whether strolling or running, for miles instead of feet, exists only at the City’s edges and in a few large parks. CIVITAS | Mathews Nielsen 13 Fig. 3.2 Noise Mitigation Techniques

Vegetative Buffer - 5 dB Reduction CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

CIVITASSound Wall CIVITAS- 5 dB Reduction CIVITAS HighCIVITAS Sound Wall - 10 CIVITAS dB Reduction CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

Tall Berm - 10 dB Reduction

Berm/ Wall - 6.5 dB Reduction Berm - 5 dB Reduction

14 East River Esplanade Vision Plan Noise The East River Esplanade is an extremely is mitigated by an increase in the use of Fig. 3.3 Esplanade Noise loud environment for recreation with electric and/or hybrid vehicles with quieter average noise levels in the range of 75-85 engines. Enforcement of speed limits and dB, and peaks of up to 97.5 dB. Peak dB maintaining a high level of roadway surface levels are equivalent to the noise emitted by smoothness would also contribute to a a lawn mower. Even the average range of reduction in noise levels. 75-85 dB exceeds the dB level acceptable for typical human speech or conversation and, A second approach to moderating loud noise not surprisingly, reduces the experiential entails constructing barriers that block quality of the Esplanade. sound from reaching Esplanade users. Construction would be in the form of a solid The primary source of this noise is vehicular structure that has the ability to reduce noise traffic from the FDR Drive. Noise levels vary levels by dissipating or absorbing sound. based on the volume and speed of this traffic. Barriers can be constructed from a wide Given the proximity of the Esplanade to the choice of building materials that run the FDR, noise mitigation is a critical condition gamut of solid earth to metal, glass, wood, that must be addressed for the Esplanade or stone constructs, with each material CIVITASto become CIVITAS a more enjoyable CIVITAS space and CIVITASvarying in its ability CIVITAS to reduce noise CIVITAS levels. CIVITAS CIVITAS resource for the community. There are Unfortunately, vegetation, in the form of several locations along it where noise levels trees and shrubs, cannot be used adequately fall below the average levels noted above. for noise mitigation unless a wide, densely The Esplanade at Carl Schurz Park is one of planted buffer is feasible. Figure 3.2 the quietest sections due to its construction illustrates some of the requirements and on a deck over the FDR. However, most challenges of implementing different noise sections of it are directly adjacent to the mitigation strategies. FDR and do not provide similar relief from vehicular noise. Solving the challenge of noise is complicated. Construction of a physical wall between CIVITASExcess levels CIVITAS of noise negatively CIVITAS affect CIVITASthe Esplanade andCIVITAS the FDR may CIVITAS reduce CIVITAS CIVITAS public health and have been linked to noise, but safety is also a concern. Along hearing loss, increased stress, and anxiety. narrow segments, users are less visible and As previously stated, noise levels negatively may feel unsafe in an environment where affect the quality of the Esplanade user’s motion is constrained to a narrow corridor experience. Programming opportunities, and access points are limited. However, the such as community movie nights, musical FDR is already depressed several feet below events, theatrical performances, outdoor the Esplanade along several stretches, and classrooms, and other activities that require these locations constitute sites to test the acoustical clarity are compromised or not viability and desirability of sound barriers even possible given current noise levels. without compromising the overall visibility and safety of Esplanade users. In addition, it CIVITASTraditional CIVITAS approaches to noise CIVITAS mitigation CIVITASmust be ensured thatCIVITAS barriers do not CIVITAS reflect CIVITAS CIVITAS include sound cessation, volume control at FDR noise back into upland neighborhoods, the source, and sound barriers. In the case exacerbating the noise issues for residents. of the East River Esplanade, sound cessation A number of different solutions will likely be would mean eradicating the source of needed over the Esplanade’s 3.4 mile length the sound and, consequently, disallowing to reduce sound. Each solution will have vehicles on the FDR. This is unlikely to to balance safety with the need to create occur, but there are other approaches that community spaces where people can relax may be pursued. Several factors affect the and gather in a quiet environment. volume of roadway noise. Vehicles emit the greatest amount of noise when traveling at high rates of speed over poorly surfaced roadways with noisy engines. Conversely, vehicles emit the least amount of noise when traveling at lower speeds on smooth surfaced roads with quiet engines (such as electric vehicles). It is not hard to imagine a future when vehicular noise on the FDR

CIVITAS | Mathews Nielsen 15 Fig. 3.4 Esplanade Structure Type 125th Street Port Morris

116th Street Manhattan Valley 121st Street

East Harlem 106th Street

Randall’s Island 105th Street 96th Street CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

Carnegie Hill 95th Street

5th Ave 86th Street

Madison Ave

Park Ave 89th Street Lexington Ave 3rd Ave Yorkville CIVITASUpper CIVITAS2nd Ave CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS East 79th Street Side 1st Ave

York Ave East End Ave 72nd Street

80th Street Grand Central Parkway Astoria 67th Street Lenox Hill

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

59th Street Ravenswood

Roosevelt Island 61st Street Sutton Place Legend High-Level Relieving Platform Low-Level Relieving Platform Gravity Wall Not Surveyed (Marine Report) Long Island City Source: OMB-DPR Marine Report, June 2013

16 East River Esplanade Vision Plan Condition of the Esplanade The existing Esplanade is in a state of concrete retaining walls or supported on physical decay as a result of deferred wooden piles. These conditions make maintenance. The current condition is not inspection and repairs difficult and costly. only a reflection of Parks’ limited funding for maintenance, but also the challenges Maintaining horticultural plantings in a of constructing a structured landscape in a marine environment is also a challenge. marine environment. Rigid structures, such When floodwaters top the bulkhead, as as retaining walls and relieving platforms, occurred during Hurricane Sandy, saline have a limited lifespan and require constant waters flood tree rooting zones. Salt attention to maintain them. A hardened accumulation in soils can have long-term edge in a tidal river environment with large detrimental consequences for tree survival commercial boat traffic bears the full brunt by limiting water and oxygen availability to of daily wave action, and the effect of this roots. Salt spray during high wind can also wear and tear is magnified during storm negatively affect the foliage of waterfront events. Conversely, river edges with the vegetation. The soil volume required to ability to attenuate wave energy typically grow healthy trees, as well as the drainage offer greater long-term resiliency and are a conditions and ability to make use of CIVITASlower maintenance CIVITAS alternative. CIVITAS Additionally, CIVITASnatural rainfall, are CIVITAS limited by impermeable CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS significant portions of the supporting surfaces on the Esplanade. Tree pits structure of the Esplanade are constructed adjacent to gravity walls accumulate water below the waterline, with either stone and in the soil volume that puts pressure on

Fig. 3.5 Esplanade Structure Typology (Marine Report)

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

61st Street 80th Street

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

89th Street 95th Street

105th Street 121st Street CIVITAS | Mathews Nielsen 17 Fig. 3.6 Esplanade Structure Condition 125th Street

Port Morris

116th Street Manhattan Valley

East Harlem 106th Street

Randall’s Island

96th Street CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

Carnegie Hill

5th Ave 86th Street

Madison Ave Park Ave Lexington Ave 3rd Ave Yorkville CIVITASUpper CIVITAS2nd Ave CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS East 79th Street Side 1st Ave

York Ave East End Ave 72nd Street

Grand Central Parkway Astoria 67th Street Lenox Hill

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

59th Street Ravenswood

Roosevelt Island

Sutton Legend Place Satisfactory Fair Poor Serious No Condition Rating (Marine Report) Long Island City Source: OMB-DPR Marine Report, June 2013

18 East River Esplanade Vision Plan adjacent bulkhead stones and can lead to OMB – DPR Marine Report displacement of stones and deterioration of In June 2013, the City of New York Office the wall. In addition, the lifespan of any tree of Management and Budget (OMB) and planted on a decked structure might only Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) be as long as the longevity of the structure issued a report assessing the structural itself because these plants typically require condition of the Esplanade. The underwater removal when the structure is reconstructed investigation and appraisal of the East River or repaired. Esplanade spanned from 41st Street to 124th These challenges are evident in observed Street and was completed by ARCADIS. It conditions on the Esplanade. Sinkholes as did not include investigation of the Con Ed well as heaved and uneven pavement are property or the section supporting Carl evidence of deteriorating structures. These Schurz Park, which is under State DOT distortions indicate where river waters have jurisdiction, nor did it include results from infiltrated the structure and washed soil out an inspection of Pier 107 or the bulkhead at from between structural members below a former pier at 117th Street . paved surfaces and plantings. Empty tree In summary, the report concludes that CIVITASpits are evidence CIVITAS of the current CIVITAS Esplanade CIVITASthe structure supporting CIVITAS the East CIVITAS River CIVITAS CIVITAS design’s inability to support healthy Esplanade has areas of severe deterioration vegetation in these locations. Likewise, that require immediate repair, while other unhealthy trees with dead limbs and areas will require significant repairs within declining canopies illustrate stress from the next ten years. Much of the deterioration salt-water infiltration in the rooting zone, is below the water line where wood piles are inadequate soil volumes, insufficient soil rotting, and stone and concrete retaining fertility, and lack of adequate water and walls require repair. The evidence of this proper drainage. deterioration is obvious to Esplanade There are additional challenges to users, and manifests itself on the surface CIVITASmaintaining CIVITAS the Esplanade landscape. CIVITAS With CIVITASof the Esplanade CIVITASin the form of sinkholes, CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS the exception of Carl Schurz Park, there a crumbling bulkhead, and slumping is currently no access to potable water pavement. along the Esplanade from 60th to 125th Age and the weathering of structures in Street. This limits planting types and the a marine environment are the cause of ability for new plants to be watered during much of the deterioration but, ironically, the their establishment period and in times recent improvements in water quality have of drought. Narrow width, topographical accelerated the decline of the supporting changes, and poor accessibility from the FDR wood members. As water quality has create further challenges for the DPR crews improved throughout New York City, marine attempting to use standard equipment and organisms that attack wood have become CIVITASvehicles for CIVITAS maintenance along CIVITAS this section CIVITASmore numerous. CIVITAS The area of CIVITAS greatest CIVITAS CIVITAS of Esplanade. The narrow width makes it deterioration is between high and low water impossible for a maintenance vehicle or levels, where changing water levels expose large mower to travel continuously along the members to both air and water. In this its length from 60th to 125th Street, and the zone, shipworms, which are mollusks, steps at 81st Street also restrict movement destroy wood members by boring into the of equipment. Due to the FDR, vehicular wood and creating a network of cavities access is limited to a few key points along that weaken it. Gribbles, which are small the Esplanade. Therefore, limited passage crustaceans, also weaken wood by attacking and interrupted vehicular movement it from the outside gradually making the reduces the efficiency of completing daily piles narrower and compromising their maintenance tasks, including mowing, structural stability. trash collection, tree care, and lighting and general repairs. Gravity retaining walls are subject to grout loss at joints, spalling concrete, loose or missing stone blocks, and deterioration at outfalls. Timber structures above water are subject to rotting line caps, missing timber elements, rotted pile caps, and rotted

CIVITAS | Mathews Nielsen 19 decking. In the water, the timber structures information does not reflect any intent to are rotting, broken, and damaged. In fact, change the physical width, elevation, rail some piles that were wrapped to increase design or other features of the present- their useful lifespan are failing structurally day Esplanade, although this first round of due to the proliferation of the marine borers repairs may provide some opportunities to discussed in the previous paragraph. redesign these failing portions in a way that would make them more compatible with Repairs are needed and an initial allocation a future comprehensive reconstruction. of $35M was included in the current Mayoral Based on the Marine Report findings, budget. DPR is prioritizing the use of these the total (minimum) estimated costs of funds to repair the most critical structurally recommended rehabilitation work for the deficient locations along the Esplanade. Esplanade is $115M, and this is based on These repairs will keep the Esplanade analysis done in 2012. This work will only functioning and operational. Some repairs become more costly if it is delayed. This will be underwater and largely invisible to estimate does not include interim structural Esplanade users. Other repairs will require remediation or complete reconstruction of either partial or complete reconstruction Pier 107. CIVITASof marine structures. CIVITAS This work CIVITAS is mainly CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS intended to structurally stabilize the Esplanade as it exists today. Current

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

20 East River Esplanade Vision Plan Damaged Concrete at Edge

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

Sinkhole at 116th Street with Temporary Bridge

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS Sinkhole at 89th Street

CIVITAS | Mathews Nielsen 21 Identity and Sense of Place The identity of a landscape is closely tied to Montgomery Street, in lower Manhattan. its physical features, the memory of distinct The focus of this report – the Esplanade iconic moments within the landscape, and from East 60th Street to East 125th Street how its users move through and experience - is also commonly referred to as the “East the sensory environment. The ability of River Esplanade” though officially listed as a landscape to develop a strong identity the Bobby Wagner Walk by DPR. To future is often a reflection of the ability of the confuse the issue, a portion of the Esplanade physical features to define the space. parallels the Harlem River and not the East Additionally, the names associated with a River, which turns east and connects to place are inherently part of the identity of a Long Island Sound north of 90th Street. landscape. For instance, the name “Central Park” conjures up many different images. The challenge with these various names is Within Central Park there are spaces such that they do not convey a sense of place or as Cedar Hill, Sheep Meadow, The Great identity. The term “East River Esplanade” Lawn, Harlem Meer, and The Ramble, with could refer to any number of spaces from names that reinforce their own unique southern Manhattan to East 125th Street identity and character within the larger along the Esplanade. Even within the CIVITASextents of the park.CIVITAS CIVITASEsplanade CIVITAS between CIVITAS60th and 125th Street, CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS the long linear segments are largely Currently, the “East River Waterfront similar, nondescript landscapes without key Esplanade” is largely an ambiguous name landmarks, defining features, or names. that delineates a location – on the East Often, specific locations on the Esplanade River – but not necessarily the extents. The are defined by the bridges or upland midtown portion of the Esplanade from connections that lead to them instead of East 38th Street to East 60th Street does identifiers that convey the character or use not currently exist, but is in the planning of the spaces. The installation of street stages. This project has been named the markers in the paving is further evidence of “East Midtown Waterfront.” The “East River the fact that Esplanade’s identity is primarily CIVITASWaterfront Esplanade” CIVITAS is a name CIVITAS given to derived CIVITAS from external CIVITAS sources and not CIVITAS the CIVITAS CIVITAS a two-mile section of the Esplanade from parkland itself. the Battery Maritime Building to South

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

22 East River Esplanade Vision Plan Queensboro Bridge and Alice Aycock Sculpture

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

Street Markers - Relationship to Manhattan Grid

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS The Bay at Horn’s Hook

CIVITAS | Mathews Nielsen 23 Fig. 3.7 Connectivity and Transportation Networks

116th St (2,3) 110th St / Cathedral Pky (B,C) 1/4 Mile 116th St (6) 110th St / 120th St Pedestrian Bridge Central Park North (2,3) 116th St (T) 103rd St (A,B,C) 110th St (6)

96th St (B,C) 106th St 111th St Pedestrian Bridge (T)

103rd St Second Avenue Subway (6) Phase 2

Randall's Island Bridge CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS96th St (6) CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS 96th St (T) 96th St

86th St (4,5,6) E. 90th Street Ferry Terminal 86th St (T) Carl Schurz Astoria-Ditmars Blvd (N,Q) CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

77th St (6)

81st St Pedestrian Bridge Second Avenue Subway Phase 1 78th St Pedestrian Bridge Astoria Blvd (N,Q) 72nd St (T) 68th St / Hunter College (6) 30th Av (N,Q) CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS71st St Pedestrian CIVITAS Bridge CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS Lexington Av / 63rd St (F)

Broadway (N,Q)

63rd St Pedestrian Bridge Legend

60th St Esplanade Access Point Roosevelt Island (F) Steinway St (M,R) Subway Station 55th St (T) Special Event Ferry Service 36th Av (N,Q) Greenway Bike Lane 21st St (F) 39th Av (N,Q) Planned Corridor Improvements 36th St (M,R) NYCDPR Parkland Queensboro Plaza (N,Q,7) Source: E106 St to Randall’s Island Street Safety and Improved Access, April 2014; OASIS MAP; MTA

Queens Plaza (E,M,R) 24 East River Esplanade Vision Plan Connectivity The entrance to a space sets the stage and reason, and because of the future completion shapes a user’s expectations for the quality of the Harlem River Park connection and and type of experience that lies ahead. Midtown Esplanade project, there will be a Currently, park users enter the Esplanade greater number of users at this juncture and via one of the upland connections that it will likely grow in importance. The existing span the FDR Drive from the adjacent entrance is underwhelming and reﬂects its neighborhoods. In the future, the Midtown historical use as a vehicular roadway. The Esplanade south of 60th Street will connect sloped path rises up to a crest where users to Andrew Haswell Green Park, and the expect to be rewarded with a sweeping view northern stretch of Esplanade will connect of the East River, but are instead greeted by to Harlem River Park at 125th Street. These a concrete wall and small utility building. A connections will provide critical links and complete redesign is necessary to allow for contribute to the creation of a continuous ADA access, service vehicles, and to express greenway around Manhattan. Users should its function as a grand entrance to a world- not experience a drop in the level of service, class waterfront park. quality of experience, or safety when these future connections tie into the East River Providing universal accessibility is a critical CIVITASEsplanade. CIVITAS Moreover, the Esplanade CIVITAS must CIVITASelement that must CIVITAS be incorporated CIVITAS into all CIVITAS CIVITAS be able to physically accommodate the future changes and should be a priority for Non-continuous Greenway added users that these connections will future reconstruction. A full site survey generate. is not available at this time, however, the entrance and access to Andrew Haswell Great parks have great entrances that Green Park at 60th Street does not appear welcome visitors and draw them in. None to be ADA accessible. Likewise, the steps of the entrances to the Esplanade serve at 81st Street leading from the Esplanade to this purpose and vary greatly in quality. Carl Schurz Park create a gap in accessibility The pedestrian bridges are all upland along the Esplanade. Accessible sidewalk connections over the FDR to the Esplanade improvements at the ends of 81st Street, CIVITASand range CIVITAS from brand new CIVITAS structures to CIVITASGracie Terrace, and CIVITAS 83rd Street are neededCIVITAS to CIVITAS CIVITAS structures with peeling paint, rust, and make these points of entry to the Esplanade inhospitable signage. All of the pedestrian accessible. At the time of printing of this bridges offer users a similar experience – report, a pedestrian ramp at 81st Street travel over a zigzagging ramp with deafening is being proposed by NYC Department of noise from the FDR and through mesh Design and Construction (DDC) that would fencing that often feels cage-like. Moreover, replace the narrow and deteriorating there are a number of parks along the west staircase on the Esplanade at this location. side of the FDR Drive that are severed from At the 96th Street underpass, the existing the East and Harlem Rivers. Hundreds, curb ramps and concrete sidewalks need to 71st Street Pedestrian Bridge or even thousands, of park visitors utilize be assessed for repairs and improvements CIVITASthese parks CIVITAS daily. However, proximityCIVITAS to the CIVITASto maintain and increaseCIVITAS accessibility. CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS river does not necessarily induce visitors to travel up and over the circuitous bridge structures to access the water’s edge. While many of these structures are ADA accessible, participants in community meetings expressed dissatisfaction with the experience of moving from contiguous neighborhoods to the Esplanade. Even greater concern was expressed for the difﬁculty experienced by the elderly attempting to make this trip to utilize the waterfront.

At 60th Street, the entrance to the Esplanade rises over the FDR Drive via an old roadway ramp. This entrance is the most proximate for bicyclists and pedestrians crossing over the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge. For this 120th Street Pedestrian Bridge

CIVITAS | Mathews Nielsen 25 Fig. 3.8 Esplanade Width

Width (in Feet)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 125 124 123 122 121 121st Street Path 120 119 118 117 116 10 ft 115 114 113 Thomas Jefferson 112 Park 111 110 109 108 107 CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS 106CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS 105 104 103 102 102nd StreetStreet Path 101 100 99 98 97 96 95 94 93 92 CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS91 CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS 90 Carl Schurz Park 89 88 Street 87 86 85 86th Street Path 84 83 82 81 80 Staircase 79 78 CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS77 CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS 76 75 Con Ed 74 73 72 71 70 69 68 67 67th Street Path 66 65 64 63 62 Legend 61 60 Pathway Width Future Andrew Pathway Width less than 10 Feet Haswell Green Park Width from FDR to River

26 East River Esplanade Vision Plan Space and Program Space Program One of the key challenges for the Esplanade is The current user activities observed along the the lack of adequate space for existing users Esplanade are largely a function of the available and event programming. A few short sections space and river conditions. In long, narrow of the Esplanade are broad and generous with sections, the primary uses are for walking, widths of up to 40 feet and beyond. However, jogging, and bicycling. There are occasional most of the Esplanade is extremely narrow users taking advantage of the benches and with shared bicycle/pedestrian pathways that game tables along the narrow sections of are as narrow as 8 to 10 feet. Additionally, the Esplanade, but these locations are unattractive design often places users directly adjacent to and uninviting because of the proximity to and the high-speed traffic on the FDR, and is not noise from the FDR. North of 96th Street, wide enough to accommodate planting or fishing is a popular activity. Fishermen line other buffering from vehicles. The tighter the edge of the Esplanade where the waters spaces contribute to a sense of congestion become more shallow and the tidal currents and overall poor quality experience. The from the East River, Harlem River, and Long existing Esplanade width does not meet the Island Sound come together. At 96th Street, CIVITASten foot minimum CIVITAS American CIVITAS Association of CIVITASEast River C.R.E.W. CIVITAS launches human-powered CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS State Highway and Transportation Officials rowboats into the Harlem River and offers (AASHTO) recommendation for shared two- weekly summer evening community boating way bicycle pedestrian paths. excursions. Occasionally more intrepid 110th Street kayakers will launch from Hallets Cove, Anable There are few large spaces where people can Basin, or Newtown Creek, and travel up the gather along the Esplanade. The location Harlem River. Otherwise, non-motorized of the planned Andrew Haswell Green recreational boating is limited and may be a Park, Carl Schurz Park, and Pier 107 are function of the lack of loci from which to access exceptions. This section of the East River the water and launch a boat. Esplanade simply does not have the large number of pre-existing piers that are found In locations where the Esplanade offers wider CIVITASin parks like CIVITAS Brooklyn Bridge CIVITAS or Hudson CIVITASspaces, there is improvedCIVITAS landscape CIVITAS design CIVITAS CIVITAS River Parks. At one time, more piers did and programming. At Carl Schurz Park, the exist in the section north of 96th Street, but Esplanade connects to a full range of park now many of the large community gathering amenities, from active to passive recreation, spaces in this area are located in parkland lawns, and gardening. At Andrew Haswell and playgrounds on the upland side of the Green Park, there are community gardeners FDR. and a dog park. Pier 107 attracts fishermen, but the large pavilion is closed to the public due 81st Street Staircase At the most basic level, the solution to to deteriorating conditions and a collapsing roof. the lack of space on the Esplanade is to expand its width. However, the adjacent Future improvements to the Esplanade offer CIVITASconditions –CIVITAS the FDR on one CIVITAS side and the CIVITASthe opportunity to reconsiderCIVITAS the programming CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS East and Harlem Rivers on the other – create needs of contiguous communities, the potential significant obstacles. Current state and for reconsidered spaces, and their distribution federal regulations restrict building new and frequency. Clearly, the Esplanade cannot structures or adding fill material into aquatic accommodate uses that require large land habitat and require expensive mitigation to areas, such as sports fields. But a thoughtful offset any impact. Using upland areas to design can identify ways to create community expand the Esplanade is not a viable option gathering spaces for events, performances, because of the alignment of the FDR. The and education. These spaces can be designed development of large community space to gracefully interface with the river while must be accomplished with improvements to lessening the visual and auditory impact of existing spaces, by widening the Esplanade, the FDR. Narrow linear spaces will continue creating parkland over the FDR, or by to exist, yet these spaces may be reconfigured seeking a more flexible interpretation of the to allow for efficient passage of bicycles, governing regulations regarding fill at the pedestrians, and maintenance vehicles, while water’s edge. These options are discussed simultaneously integrating compatible linear in greater detail later in this report. elements such as art, climbing walls, and garden spaces. 62nd Street

CIVITAS | Mathews Nielsen 27 Fig. 3.9 FDR: Department of Transportation Jurisdiction 125th Street

116th Street City (NYCDOT) 98th Street to 125th Street

106th Street

96th Street State (NYSDOT) 94th Street to 98th Street

5th Ave

86th Street CIVITASMadison Ave CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITASCity (NYCDOT) CIVITAS CIVITAS Park Ave 90th Street to 94th Street Lexington Ave3rd Ave 2nd Ave

79th Street 1st Ave State (NYSDOT) York Ave East End Ave 79th Street to 90th Street Grand Central Parkway 72nd Street 67th Street CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS 59th Street

City (NYCDOT) 42nd Street to 79th Street

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS Fig. 3.10 Political Districts

Community Districts City Council NYS Assembly NYS Senate Congressional Districts 28 East River Esplanade Vision Plan Jurisdiction and Responsibility The narrow strip of the East River Esplanade From 73rd to 75th Street, Con Ed occupies is governed by a complex jurisdictional a city-owned parcel along the waterfront arrangement resulting from ownership that currently houses a low building. At this by multiple agencies. Parks has operated point the Esplanade jogs inland slightly. At and maintained the Esplanade since 1939. 91st Street the Department of Sanitation North of 90th Street the Esplanade appears (DSNY) owns a pier that is adjacent to the on city maps as a series of discrete parcels Esplanade with an elevated access road that with varied ownership, though south of 84th crosses above it. Sewer outfalls periodically Street the strip of land is included with perforate the Esplanade bulkhead. These the mapped alignment of the FDR Drive structures are the responsibility of NYC itself (NYC OASIS). The adjacent FDR Drive Department of Environmental Protection shifts ownership between City and State (DEP). The open water areas adjacent to Departments of Transportation depending the Esplanade are regulated by the US whether or not the roadway is supported Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and NYS by structure or not. The elevated section Department of Environmental Conservation above 96th street and portion below the (DEC). While Parks operates the Esplanade, Gracie Mansion and Carl Schurz Park deck various City, State, and Federal Agencies CIVITASis maintained CIVITAS by NYSDOT. In CIVITASthe past, after CIVITASwould need to be CIVITAS involved in most CIVITAS future CIVITAS CIVITAS the State completed major reconstruction of reconstruction projects. segments of the highway, ownership would transfer from City to State. It is unclear if that will continue to be the case in the future.

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS Fig. 3.11 Regulatory Agency Jurisdiction Section

NYCDCP Coast Guard USACE NYCDOT and/or NYSDOT NYCDPR NYSDEC USFWS

NYCDEP (discharge + boat recreation permitting) NYCDOB (piers)

CIVITAS | Mathews Nielsen 29 Fig. 3.12 NOAA Navigation Chart

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

Fig. 3.16

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

Fig. 3.17

30 East River Esplanade Vision Plan Tides, Bathymetry, and Currents The Esplanade is adjacent to and runs construction of softer maritime edges that Fig. 3.13 Currents parallel with the East and Harlem Rivers. support biological diversity, such as salt Both bodies of water are technically marshes and oyster reefs. tidal straits and not, by strict geographic definition, rivers. The hydrological conditions Between 60th and 85th Streets, the East in the river adjacent to the Esplanade River is divided into two narrow channels by vary considerably moving from south to Roosevelt Island. The Esplanade parallels north. The varying conditions are largely the western shore of the western channel, attributable to both the influences of the and the channel is typically greater than tides flowing between Long Island Sound 700 feet wide. The water depth immediately and New York Harbor, and the need for adjacent to the Esplanade is deep, and maintenance of water depths for shipping. continues to gain depth toward the center The average diurnal tidal fluctuation as of the channel. In this section the currents recorded at Horn’s Hook is 5.18 feet, but this can be swift and the waters are maintained variation changes considerably throughout with a deep profile, typically greater than the year based on a number of factors that 40 feet for navigational purposes. These include wind, precipitation, and lunar phase. depths make driving piles for construction CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITASvery expensive andCIVITAS become an CIVITAS unlikely CIVITAS CIVITAS The variations in bathymetry, tidal fluctuation solution for expansion in these areas. At and currents are important for a number times, the water in this section is flat and of reasons. Slower currents provide more calm with swift flowing currents that swirl manageable conditions for recreational and twist on the shimmering water surface. boating, such as kayaking or rowing, and At other times, there are standing white contribute to a more suitable habitat for capped waves that froth and break against certain aquatic organisms. Deeper waters small boats. Mariners attempting to travel are needed for navigation and shipping, against the tide in small craft are likely to and are also typically associated with struggle, even with engines at full throttle. higher construction costs when building Surface currents in excess of 5 Knots (kn) CIVITASor modifying CIVITAS structures at the CIVITAS river’s edge. CIVITAS(5.75 mph) are common CIVITAS in this portion CIVITAS of the CIVITAS CIVITAS A shallow water’s edge is required for the East River.

Fig. 3.14 Shipping Lanes Fig. 3.15 Currents

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

CIVITAS | Mathews Nielsen 31 Fig. 3.16 NOAA Navigation Chart Enlargement

The Bay and beginning of the Harlem River

Note: Shallow water near the shoreline beginning south of 96th Street. This general bathymetric condition extends north through much of the Harlem River (Sounding depths in feet from MLLW).

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS Fig. 3.17 NOAA Navigation Chart Enlargement The East River Note: Deeper water and steep drop off at the shoreline. This bathymetric condition is typical of the East River in this area and indicative of different geology. Depths are maintained for the active shipping lane (Sounding CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITASdepths CIVITAS in feet from MLLW). CIVITAS

32 East River Esplanade Vision Plan Slightly further up the East River is Hell water habitats. The river was dredged to Gate, a section that is notorious for having make navigation possible, and the bridges challenged navigators with the presence of along the waterway lift or open to allow for shallow rock formations below the water’s the passage of ships. However, the channel surface. These formations were blasted out is not maintained at the same depth as the in 1885 to improve navigation. Between 91st East River which still functions as a major and 100th Street, the river opens up into a shipping channel. It is occasionally used broad bay that old maps list as Rhinelander by the Circle Line, special event ferries, Bay or Rhinelander Reef, though few people and recreational boats. Throughout history would recognize or associate this name and into the present day, the hydrology of with the bay these days. From the bay, the this unique portion of New York Harbor has East River splits and heads east toward been fascinating, beautiful and at times very Long Island Sound while the western fork dangerous. forms the beginning of the Harlem River. In the bay, the currents begin to progressively calm down as one travels up the Esplanade along the Harlem River. However, the CIVITAScurrents remain CIVITAS strong in theCIVITAS section of CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS river leading to Long Island Sound. Historic maps show this area as tidal marshland where freshwater streams of northern Manhattan emptied. These creeks and streams likely carried sediment that was deposited and created productive shallow

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

The Great Blast of Flood Rock (1885) Source: New York Public Library

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

CIVITAS | Mathews Nielsen 33 Fig. 3.18 Sandy + NYCHA Housing

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

34 East River Esplanade Vision Plan Hurricane Sandy Hurricane Sandy, one of the most destructive it has a low elevation and is built on top of storms to affect the Northeastern United former marshland adjacent to very active States, hit New York City on October 29, tidal straits. This fact was noted in further 2012. While only a Category 2 storm at the detail elsewhere in this report. As our time, the extensive storm surge flooded collective memory of the damage caused by low-lying areas of the city. It wreaked havoc Sandy fades, it is important to include East on New York City by destroying buildings and Harlem in future flood protection strategies. infrastructure, and crippling transportation, communication and emergency systems. In Under Phase 1 Initiative 20, the Special the aftermath of the storm, most attention Initiative for Rebuilding and Resiliency was focused on the most devastated areas (SIRR) report recommends an Integrated of New York City - downtown Manhattan, Flood Protection System parallel to the The Rockaways, Coney Island, and Staten current FDR alignment between 90th Island. Now two years later, some of these Street and 127th Street (SIRR 59). As communities are still rebuilding. Though per SIRR, and contingent on funding, portions of the Upper East Side and East target completion for this project is 2016. Harlem were inundated by Hurricane Integrated Flood Protection Systems are CIVITASSandy, neither CIVITAS neighborhood CIVITAS merited CIVITAScomposed of multiple CIVITAS elements but CIVITAS largely CIVITAS CIVITAS much attention from the media and this rely on permanent and deployable flood has downplayed the potential future risk walls. Landscaped berms or levees can be to these communities. In fact, East Harlem incorporated into this system as well. While was one of the largest contiguously flooded the City, State and Federal Government areas in the borough of Manhattan. Most focus attention on potential resiliency of the Esplanade itself, except for elevated solutions for other communities elsewhere portions at Carl Schurz, was flooded. A in the harbor, it is yet to be determined water depth of 2.4 feet was recorded on the whether this goal of an Integrated Flood Esplanade at 90th Street (USGS Sandy Storm Protection System for East Harlem will be Tide Mapper). East Harlem is a community achieved by 2016. CIVITASthat is highly CIVITAS vulnerable to flooding CIVITAS because CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS The New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) has designated 6 Hurricane Evacuation Zones ranked by risk Fig. 3.19 Hurricane Evac. Zones of storm surge impact. South of 91st Street the Esplanade is considered Zone 1 and to the North it is Zone 2. Large portions of East Harlem are classified as being within an Evacuation Zone and these risk areas extend as far inland as Central Park. Generally, the neighborhoods contiguous to the Esplanade on the Upper East Side are much less CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITASvulnerable because CIVITAS the natural topography CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS of Manhattan is at a higher elevation than to the north. In the face of another storm with high storm surge potential, evacuating the entire neighborhood of East Harlem would be a tremendous challenge. To make matters worse, storm severity and frequency is expected to increase while ocean levels are globally on the rise. In essence, preparing for the next Sandy may not be enough.

CIVITAS | Mathews Nielsen 35 Fig. 3.20 FEMA Preliminary Flood Maps

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

36 East River Esplanade Vision Plan Sea Level Rise and Flood Risk Sea Level Rise North of 90th Street, the possibility for Fig. 3.21 SLR Section flooding to have a larger impact dramatically Sea level rise (SLR) will alter shorelines All Elevations are NAVD88 and the low-lying areas near them around increases. As noted earlier, this area has a the world. New York City is no exception. historically low elevation where a network Besides the average diurnal tidal fluctuation of streams previously drained into the river. of 5.19 feet (Horn’s Hook), rising ocean water While the creeks and streams have been filled levels represent a long-term trend that has in, the overall topography of this area of East accelerated in the 20th century. Scientists Harlem is unchanged and at risk for flooding. disagree on the rate at which this is happening, East Harlem is one of the largest contiguous and various climate models have been used to areas in Manhattan under threat of inundation project future water levels. The New York City in a storm and has significant land mass Panel on Climate Change (NPCC) published located in Flood Zone AE. There are other projections in 2013 that have been adopted areas in the city with similar possible flooding Average Tidal Fluctuation by the City for planning purposes. These projections, such as the Financial District projections reveal a middle range of sea and food distribution center in the South level rise of between 11 to 24 inches in 2050, Bronx. These areas are clearly critical to CIVITASfrom 2000 baselineCIVITAS elevations, CIVITAS with a high- CIVITASthe City’s economic CIVITAS operation andCIVITAS food CIVITAS CIVITAS end projection of 31 inches (NPCC, Climate supply, and have received attention for these Risk Information, 2013). Even in a high-end reasons. However, the areas of East Harlem scenario, the surface of the Esplanade will be under discussion are middle to high-density above water level at normal high tide in 2050. underserved residential neighborhoods and However, during storm surge events, there is are also in need of consideration for future a greater chance that the Esplanade and the flood mitigation planning. Much of this area neighboring community will be flooded. These includes residences administered by the kinds of storm events are predicted to occur New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). with greater frequency and intensity in the While these residents may not be outspoken future. about the risks posed to their homes and CIVITASNew York CIVITAS City is in process CIVITAS of adopting CIVITAScommunity, the potentialCIVITAS risks necessitate CIVITAS Hurricane CIVITAS Sandy CIVITAS revised Federal Emergency Management that planning for such events be elevated Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps to the forefront of city planning efforts if the (FIRM) that will dictate base flood elevation affordable housing units in this community and hazard zones throughout the city. Large are expected to remain viable. areas of East Harlem and smaller portions of the Upper East Side currently lie within Zone AE, meaning that these areas are subject to inundation by the 1-percent-annual-chance flood event formerly referred to as the Fig. 3.22 Sandy + SLR 100-year storm. Open space areas like the CIVITASEsplanade canCIVITAS be designed to CIVITAS accommodate CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS more regular flooding or they can be used to protect adjacent development. Preliminary FIRM BFE Flood Risk Low-lying areas along rivers are subject to flooding as part of the natural process associated with intense rainfall and coastal storms. In highly urbanized areas, such as along the East River Esplanade, this flooding has the potential to destructively impact development. Preliminary flood maps from FEMA indicate a high possibility for flooding along the Esplanade between 60th and 90th Streets, however, the possibility that this flooding will greatly affect inland buildings, infrastructure, and businesses is limited. Storm Condition / SLR (2050) CIVITAS | Mathews Nielsen 37 Fig. 3.23 Buildings in 100-Year Floodplain (East River Esplanade)

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

38 East River Esplanade Vision Plan Fig. 3.24 Buildings in 500-Year Floodplain (East River Esplanade)

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

CIVITAS | Mathews Nielsen 39 Community Demographics The neighborhoods of East Harlem and However, given the income differential and the Upper East Side are very different range of the ages, which covers young demographically. On a very basic level, children to seniors, it is not affordable for Figure 3.25 shows a clear income disparity. all residents to compensate for insufficient However, the two neighborhoods do share open space with fitness activities that cost a common need for more open space. The money. Design solutions for both of these New Yorkers for Parks’ Open Space Index neighborhoods need to consider approaches Report pinpoints East Harlem’s open space that significantly increase the amount and deficiencies – a lack of active open and type of open space, as well as the proportion recreation space reinforced by a dearth of of open space devoted to fee based uses. total open space. Likewise, the Open Space Index for the Upper East Side (in this case City Council District 5) is deficient in every category of open space. For residents of these neighborhoods, active fitness activities may be supplemented with private CIVITASgym memberships CIVITAS and fitness CIVITAS classes. CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS East Harlem 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 Percentage CIVITAS30 CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS 20 10 0 Urban Tree Canopy Cover 5 Minute Walk to a Neighborhood Park (% cover) (% of residents)

1.6 1.5 Yorkville / East Harlem 1.4 1.3 CIVITAS1.2 CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS 1.1 1.0 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3

Acres per 1,000 residents 0.2 0.1 0 Active Open Space Passive Open Space

Open Space Index Standard

Upper East Side (City Council District 5) Source: New Yorkers For Parks. East Harlem Open Space Indices, 2012-13

Open Space Index Comparison Lenox Hill / Upper East Side CIVITAS | Mathews Nielsen 41 Fig. 3.26 Land Use 125th Street

Port Morris

116th Street Manhattan Valley

East Harlem 106th Street

Randall’s Island CIVITAS CIVITAS 96thCIVITAS Street CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

Carnegie Hill Pierhead Line

5th Ave 86th Street

Madison Ave Park Ave Upper Lexington Ave 3rd Ave Yorkville CIVITAS CIVITAS2nd Ave CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS East 79th Street Side 1st Ave

York Ave East End Ave 72nd Street Grand Central Parkway Astoria Lenox Hill 67th Street CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITASLegend CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS 2014 MapPLUTO Land Use Ravenswood One & Two Family Residence Multi-Family Walk-Up Buildings 59th Street Multi-Family Elevator Buildings Roosevelt Island Mixed Res and Commercial Bldgs Sutton Commercial and Ofﬁce Buildings Place Industrial and Manufacturing Transportation and Utility Public Facilities and Institutions Open Space and Outdoor Recreation Parking Facilities Long Island City Vacant Land

42 East River Esplanade Vision Plan Land Use Adjacent to Esplanade The ways in which land is used along extends across the FDR with a bridge and the Esplanade varies as one moves from small building located on the Esplanade. south to north. In the south there is a concentration of higher education and Asphalt Green occupies the blocks healthcare facilities, with the presence of between East 90th and 92nd Streets. It The Animal Medical Center, Rockefeller is a former asphalt plant converted into a University, New York-Presbyterian Hospital sports complex with ﬁelds and an indoor and the Hospital for Special Surgery. These swimming pool. This section of Esplanade institutions occupy the blocks between East also includes the Marine Transfer Station 60th and 71st Streets, and it is colloquially currently under construction. referred to as “hospital row.” Between 68th Between 92nd and 125th Streets, the land and 71st Streets, the FDR is decked over use adjacent to the Esplanade is less and Rockefeller University has proposed homogenous. These blocks include housing Residential and Mixed-Use construction projects that will further communities and other developments that Residential and Commercial extend buildings over the FDR between were constructed on superblocks formed by 64th and 68th Streets. Though the land closing off a series of cross streets to create immediately adjacent to the FDR is largely larger parcels. The developments tend to CIVITASused for institutionalCIVITAS purposes CIVITAS in this CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS be tall, concentrated, and densely populated section, the land use shifts to primarily high buildings placed in open landscapes with density residential just a block north. Aside lawns, trees and parking lots. A series of from a few small neighborhood parks in small parks and playground are also located the area, residents of this ten-block stretch along the west side of the FDR. They occupy have little access to parkland. 95th-97th Street, 103rd Street, and East The adjacent land use between 71st and River Playground at 106th – 107th Street. A 90th Streets consists of densely constructed little further north, Thomas Jefferson Park high and midrise residential developments. spans from 111th Street to 114th Street This land use is punctuated by parkland – across the FDR from the Esplanade. A number of schools are also located along Commercial, Ofﬁce and Mixed- CIVITASJohn Jay ParkCIVITAS from 76th toCIVITAS 78th Streets CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITASUse CIVITAS Residential / Commercial CIVITAS and Carl Schurz from 84th to 90th Streets. the Esplanade, including the Manhattan A Con Edison facility occupies the block Center for Science and Technology. A large between East 74th and 75th Streets, and assemblage of national big box retailers and a parking garage occupy the land adjacent to the Esplanade from 116th Street to 119th Street.

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

Industrial, Manufacturing, Utility, Parking, and Vacant

Existing Structures Institution and Open Space

CIVITAS | Mathews Nielsen 43 Fig. 3.27 Historic Ecological Conditions 125th Street

116th Street

106th Street Bronx Kill Restoration

Little Hellgate 96th Street CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITASRestoration CIVITAS CIVITAS

5th Ave 86th Street

Madison Ave Park Ave 1st Ave Lexington Ave 3rd Ave York Ave

CIVITAS CIVITAS2nd Ave CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS 79th Street

East End Ave 72nd Street Grand Central Parkway

67th Street CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

Legend Vertical Bulkhead - Seawalls (2014) 59th Street Piers (2014) Tidal River Community Marine Eelgrass Meadow Low Salt Marsh High Salt Marsh Maritime Beach Community Coastal Oak-hickory Forest Oak-tulip Forest Source: Ecological Communities 1609, Mannahatta Project

44 East River Esplanade Vision Plan Ecological Conditions The narrow Esplanade occupies the to a waterway. As trees decline or die they transition zone between upland and aquatic are not often replaced, creating a patchwork systems. The ecological condition of the East of stunted and unhealthy older trees and and Harlem River is greatly altered from its bare areas without shade. The deficiency of preindustrial condition, as is typical of most quality, abundance, and diversity of vegetation urban waterways. Based on historical maps along the Esplanade reduce the benefit that it and reports and the study of reference sites, should provide to people and wildlife. coastal forests, tidal wetlands, shellfish reefs, and submerged aquatic vegetation beds once Despite general habitat degradation, an existed in this area. They formed a continuum important riverine migratory corridor of habitat types along an elevational gradient still exists for fish, such as striped bass from estuary to upland. A hard structural and migratory birds using the Atlantic edge is characteristic of the entire Esplanade Flyway. Resident bird populations including Red-eared Slider in the present-day and it fosters an abrupt cormorants, Black-crowned Night Herons, transition from paving and minimal vegetation Egrets, and Gulls are also encountered along to open water. This physical transformation the Esplanade. Mill Rock, which is closed to has caused a dramatic shift in the structure public access, provides valuable protected CIVITASof the aquatic CIVITAS community. Vertical CIVITAS bulkheads CIVITASnearshore nesting CIVITAS and roosting CIVITAS habitat. CIVITAS CIVITAS may provide localized erosion control, but the Salt marsh vegetation, such as Smooth negative effect on plants and wildlife are well Cordgrass, which is adapted to the salinity documented. Shallow marine environments, and hydrologic regimes of these estuarine including reefs and small islands, are waterways, was once common in the area. valuable for fish and wildlife. Unfortunately, According to data generated as part of the these features were largely destroyed to Mannahatta Project and other historical support shipping. Furthermore, industrial maps, over 200 acres of tidal wetlands existed Migratory Ruddy Ducks activities throughout the harbor, storm water on the western shore of the Harlem River in runoff, and combined sewer overflows (CSO) the 17th Century. Today, less than 18% of have reduced water quality and contaminated historic tidal wetlands remain in the entire CIVITASsediment producingCIVITAS negative CIVITAS effects for CIVITASHudson Raritan Estuary CIVITAS (HRECRP 5), CIVITAS making CIVITAS CIVITAS vegetation, fish and other wildlife. Human it a locally rare ecological community. Tidal contact with the water and fish consumption marshes are some of the most productive is restricted as a result. Though water quality plant communities on earth, are critical to the in the harbor has been improving since the base of the estuarine food chain, and provide adoption of the Clean Water Act in 1972, vital ecosystem services such as turbidity regulatory benchmarks are still regularly reduction and erosion control. exceeded and there is tremendous room for A recent restoration project on Randall’s improvement. Island along the eastern side of the Harlem Rocky Intertidal Habitat Based on its physical characteristics, the East River is an attempt to recreate valuable CIVITASRiver is classified CIVITAS as a deep-water CIVITAS zone, while CIVITAShabitat. The number CIVITAS of individual ecological CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS the Harlem River is largely a littoral zone. As restoration efforts throughout the harbor has noted above, both are in degraded states. increased and they have met with varying The Esplanade is technically considered to degrees of success. One of the fundamental be upland and is primarily covered with hard- problems is that the ecological context has surfaced, hexagonal, asphalt pavers that are changed so dramatically in highly urban interwoven with tree pits and landscaped areas, that the technique of basing restoration areas. London Plane, Callery Pear, Maidenhair designs on appropriate natural reference Tree, Crabapple, Yew and Bald Cypress are sites can be ineffectual. Restoration science some of the trees and shrubs commonly and design is adapting to the challenges found along the Esplanade. Analogous with presented by urban areas, which spells the state of the adjacent aquatic ecosystem, potential for the Harlem River in particular. It these plantings are unfortunately in generally is doubtful that an industrial waterfront will poor condition. Salt spray and brackish ever return to this area so a new blueprint floodwater have damaged or killed many of the integrating habitat diversity and recreation trees. Others suffer from lack of maintenance is appropriate. Ongoing intensive efforts and physical damage. Ironically, there is no to restore historically present wetlands in available freshwater on the Esplanade for Jamaica Bay could serve as a model for the Harlem River. times of drought even though it is adjacent Salt Damaged Vegetation CIVITAS | Mathews Nielsen 45 Utilities There is currently limited information However, many portions of the Esplanade do available about the location, quantity, and not have access to potable water. Locations type of public and private utilities located on that lack water cannot build restrooms or and adjacent to the Esplanade. A detailed provide drinking fountains. Cleaning the assessment and survey of utility conditions Esplanade, site furniture, and piers become would be a priority when developing site- difficult maintenance tasks. It also limits the specific plans for nodes and segments opportunity to secure vendors or kiosks that along the Esplanade. rely on water. Finally, an Esplanade without access to water lacks the ability to irrigate plantings during periods of establishment Electric and times of drought. Electric service exists on the Esplanade to Community members expressed a desire power the pedestrian light poles between to enhance plantings, care for trees, and 60th and 125th Streets. While many of the improve the quality of the Esplanade with light poles are not currently functioning, it increased vegetation. However, the lack appears to be a consequence of individual of water makes this a difficult and labor- light pole problems and not a faulty linear intensive task. Installing plant materials CIVITASconduit connecting CIVITAS them. Although, CIVITAS it is CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS requires hand carrying water along important to note that electrical conduit portions of the Esplanade, or contracting in a marine environment is susceptible to with watering trucks. It is not clear that the corrosive effects of saltwater. Future the Esplanade can physically support the planning for electric service will require weight of a watering truck and width, in recognition of this issue, especially as it many locations, is inadequate to allow for relates to the possibility for future flooding passage of such a vehicle. Utilization of and inundation. a water truck from the FDR poses other Aside from the electric service for light challenges and risks. Long-term inclusion poles, there appears to be limited electrical of water service should be included in future CIVITASservice for outletsCIVITAS or higher-powered CIVITAS Esplanade CIVITAS planning efforts.CIVITAS At a minimum, CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS electrical capacity that would support event water and restrooms should be available at programming such as a concert or movie larger nodes and gathering spaces. night. Some locations, such as Carl Schurz Park, and Andrew Haswell Green Park, may have access to electrical connections. More Gas electric service will need to be provided as At this point the inclusion of gas service part of future planning efforts in order to is not anticipated, but could be necessary support greater programming opportunities in limited areas if future planning efforts along the Esplanade. include buildings or kiosks that require gas for cooking. CIVITASFuture lighting CIVITAS needs should CIVITAS also CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS incorporate select applications of solar power as the light power source. The Telecom Esplanade may be an ideal opportunity It is not known whether or not for implementing solar-powered fixtures telecommunication lines exist along the because it is open to the sky for a significant Esplanade. Given wireless technology, portion of the day. This would carry the there may never be a need to include these added benefit of raising functional lamp in future planning. Emergency call boxes components above future flood levels to do exist at a number of locations on the reduce the possible impacts of storm water FDR at emergency pullout locations. The on electrical components. main consideration for inclusion of a wired telecommunications infrastructure would Water be to provide internet use for a vendor and/ or parks maintenance office, or for any The availability of water, or the lack thereof, kind of safety call boxes located along the was a recurring topic of discussion in the Esplanade. It is anticipated that the needs community meetings. Portions of the Esplanade abutting Carl Schurz and Andrew Haswell Green Park have access to water. 46 East River Esplanade Vision Plan for such services along the Esplanade could to Human-Powered Boating in New York be met via wireless internet connections City. In this document, water quality and and/or cellular telephone service. the presence of sewer outfalls can pose constraints for establishing boating access points. Sewer Sewer/storm outfalls under the Esplanade If restrooms are to be provided, then sewer have other potential impacts on future uses connections will be needed as well. The and opportunities. If raising the elevation of presence of the FDR separates most of the the Esplanade to account for future sea level Esplanade from residential and commercial rise is required, then the added weight of fill infrastructure. It is doubtful that sanitary material may compromise the structural sewer connections exist along the current integrity of existing pipes. Replacement Esplanade to provide access for construction sewer pipes constructed with stronger of additional restrooms. The possibility for materials or a construction method that future sanitary sewer connection locations distributes loads differently would need to be could become a determining and/or limiting implemented. Likewise, it is not clear how factor when establishing new restroom future sea level rise will affect the outfall CIVITASfacilities. CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS itself. If the elevation of an outfall into the There are also existing storm water river is below the waterline of the river, the and sewer outfall connections traveling outfall may cease to function properly or the under the Esplanade to the East River. sewer/storm line may backup at a time of The presence of sewer outfalls has a elevated water levels (high tides/storms). direct correlation with water quality and, consequently, with types of recommended recreational activities such as boating. New York City has published a booklet titled Best CIVITASPractices for CIVITAS Promoting Safe CIVITASPublic Access CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITASCSO CIVITAS Structure at 106th CIVITAS Street

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

FDR Drainage

CIVITAS | Mathews Nielsen 47 Fig. 3.29 Combined Sewer Overﬂow 125th Street

116th Street

106th Street

Wards Island Sewage Treatment Facility

96th Street CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

to Sherman Creek 6.4 miles

5th Ave 86th Street to Barretto Point Park 4.0 miles Madison Ave Park Ave Lexington Ave 3rd Ave

CIVITAS CIVITAS2nd Ave CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

79th Street 1st Ave

York Ave East End Ave 72nd Street Hallet’s Cove Grand Central Parkway

67th Street to Manhattan Ave (Newtown Creek) 3.2 miles CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

59th Street Legend Tier 2 Combined Sewer Overﬂows (CSO) Tier 3 CSO Tier 4 and 5 CSO CSO 750 ft Buffer Existing Public Access Point Potential Water Trail Route

Sources: Best Practices for Promoting Safe Public Access to Human-Powered Boating in New York City, May 2013; DEP 2006 (OASIS MAP)

48 East River Esplanade Vision Plan Emergency Access and Safety Access in the event of an emergency was Emergency FDR Pullouts a concern of many participants at the community and stakeholder meetings. • 72nd – 73rd Streets Constraining factors for emergency • 76th – 77th Streets vehicular access are Esplanade width, and • 100th Street the number and location of entry points from • 102nd Street the FDR. Narrow segments do not provide • 103rd Street the width required for a vehicle to pass. • 105th – 106th Streets An emergency at one of these locations • 107th – 108th Streets would have to be managed from the nearest • 109th Street vehicular access point to the Esplanade, or • 112th Street by emergency responders climbing over the • 117th Street low wall and fence that separates the FDR • 119th Street from the Esplanade. DPR Maintenance Vehicle

CIVITASPoints of Vehicular CIVITAS Access CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS • 60th Street (Andrew Haswell Green Park) • 74th Street (Con Ed) • 84th Street (Carl Schurz Park) • 96th Street

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITASFDR CIVITAS Emergency Pullout CIVITAS

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS Impact from Maintenance Vehicle

CIVITAS | Mathews Nielsen 49 Fig. 3.30 Current and Planned Projects 125th Street Port Morris

116th Street Manhattan Valley

Harlem River Park Future Southern Phase East Harlem 106th Street

Randall’s Island

96th Street CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

Carnegie Improved Access to Randall’s Island Hill

86th Street 5th Ave Waste Transfer Station Madison Ave Park Ave

Lexington Ave Yorkville CIVITASUpper CIVITAS3rd Ave CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS East 79th Street 2nd Ave 1st Ave G ra Side n York Ave d C e n t East End Ave ra 72nd Street l P a rk way 81st St Bridge Astoria Lenox Hill 67th Street

CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITASCon Ed CIVITAS Steam Building CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

59th Street ltt I Rockefeller University

Sutton Roosevelt Island Place Andrew Haswell Green Park

East Midtown Waterfront Esplanade

Long Island City

50 East River Esplanade Vision Plan Current and Planned Projects A number of current and planned projects 63rd Streets. A portion of this is already will impact the conditions on the Esplanade complete with the installation of a dog in the near future. A summary of current park, plantings, and game tables along the and planned projects is listed below: Esplanade. Phase 2 of the proposed work would add landscaping and improve the entrance to the Esplanade at 60th Street. East Midtown Esplanade Phase 3 would improve the area under the The East Midtown Esplanade is the planned pavilion. Phase 4 includes alterations to the development of the Esplanade between East structure on the site to allow for a future 38th and 60th Streets. The new 1.3 miles connection to the East Midtown Esplanade. of esplanade will provide the missing link Phase 2 will be designed and constructed between 60th Street and existing Esplanade by EDC for NYCDPR once related funding sections further south, and will allow is secured. The timeline for Phase 3 is not uninterrupted travel all the way to lower yet established. Construction of Phase 4 is Manhattan and even back up the West Side. contingent upon completion of the adjacent This project is part of a complex real estate East Midtown Esplanade segment that is transaction that will allow for funding and projected to be complete in 2019. CIVITASconstruction CIVITAS of a portion of theCIVITAS Esplanade CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITASNYCDPR CIVITAS Work In Progress CIVITAS around the United Nations Building in the East River. This section will be constructed Rockefeller University utilizing pilings that were installed for Rockefeller University owns the air rights the Outboard Detour Roadway during the over the FDR and is planning to expand reconstruction of the FDR. The proposed its campus. The expansion plans will design includes a separation of bicyclists extend the decked portion of the campus and pedestrians, with an 18’ bike path, a over the FDR between East 64th and 68th planted buffer, and an 18’ wide pedestrian Streets. In addition, improvements are zone. Typical width of the structure is 40’ planned along the Esplanade to address total. The anticipated construction timeline circulation, planting, and noise. This CIVITASshows completion CIVITAS of the CIVITAS ﬁnal United CIVITASincludes the construction CIVITAS of the ﬁrst CIVITAS noise CIVITAS CIVITAS Nations section in 2024, but is contingent barrier implemented on the Esplanade. upon funding. Construction is expected to start with bulkhead repairs in 2015. Esplanade The construction of the East Midtown restoration is scheduled to take place from Esplanade will dramatically affect the 2017-2018, with construction completed by Esplanade north of 60th Street. Based on 2019. August 2014 data collected at Hudson River Park, the Esplanade can expect a large NYCDPR Capital 2015-2016 increase in the volume of pedestrian and Consolidated Edison bicyclist use once a better connection to Con Ed maintains a structure on the other sections of the Manhattan Waterfront CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITASEsplanade between CIVITAS East 73rd andCIVITAS 75th CIVITAS CIVITAS Greenway, including the East Midtown Streets. Plans to remove the fencing from Esplanade, is established (AKRF). At two paved areas and add planting at the ends Hudson River Park, more than 1000 of the building are being implemented. This bicyclists and 900 pedestrians per hour project was nearly complete as of October use the bikeway and pedestrian walkway 2014, with the exception of vegetation at peak times, which are typically weekday installation in the planters. evenings. Over time, a similar increase in the volume of use should be expected on the Esplanade, especially as interest in cycling 81st Street Bridge Over FDR Drive grows and infrastructure for bicycling is improved city-wide. Improvements are planned which would include the removal of the narrow staircase at 81st Street that leads from the Esplanade Andrew Haswell Green Park up to Gracie Terrace and on to Carl Schurz Park. The steps are in poor condition and an New York City Department of Parks ADA accessible ramp does not exist at this and Recreation has developed a plan to location. DDC is in the process of facilitating NYCDPR Capital 2016-2018 improve the parkland between 60th and the design of this bridge and ramp.

CIVITAS | Mathews Nielsen 51 Marine Waste Transfer Station Harlem River Park – Southern Phase At 91st Street, the existing transfer station Construction of a future southern Phase of is being demolished and a new a Marine the Harlem River Park down to 125th Street Transfer Station is under construction is anticipated. The East River Esplanade along the Esplanade. The work is being would then be able to continue to the north administered by DDC and the anticipated from this key point. The timeline for this completion date is March 2016. A number work is dependent upon the completion of community members are advocating of adjacent bridge work, as this area is for enhancements that would include the currently used for staging and construction. addition/integration of parkland into the project. It would be forward-thinking for the building to be designed with measures DPR Capital Projects and structural elements that provide the Based on the ﬁnding of the OMB - DPR capacity to more fully integrate it into the Marine Report, Parks is in the process Esplanade and to connect to Asphalt Green of identifying areas of priority for repair and the adjacent community. along the Esplanade. Thus far, $35 million CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAShas CIVITAS been secured for CIVITAS these critical repairs CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS and the work is to be distributed along the East 106th Street to Randall’s Island length of the study area. New York City Department of Transportation has planned for two-way bicycle trafﬁc on East 106th Street between Central Park and the East River, as well as a connection along the FDR Service Road that would link 106th Street to the bridge at 103rd Street.

CIVITASEast River Plaza CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS The proposed project adjacent to the Esplanade would construct three residential towers and create 1,100 units of housing over the existing parking garages at East River Plaza (retail complex which includes Target and Costco). The site is located between East 116th and 119th Streets. Three structures are proposed and expected heights are 585’, 525’, and 456’. The initial timeline anticipates that the project will be CIVITAScompleted in 2017.CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS CIVITAS

52 East River Esplanade Vision Plan