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Home , Chelsea Piers, New York Water Taxi, Paulus Hook, SeaStreak, Sixth borough

On the near the Bridge.

84 ENHANCE THE BLUE NETWORK Daniel Avila, NYC Department & Recreation of Parks NYC Daniel Avila, GOAL 6 Enhance the public experience of the waterways that surround — our Blue Network.

VISIONVISIONVISION 2020: 2020: 2020: THE NEW NEW NEW YORK YORK YORK CITY CITY CITY COMPREHENSIVE COMPREHENSIVE WATERFRONT WATERFRONT WATERFRONT PLAN PLAN 8585 GOAL 6 ENHANCE THE BLUE NETWORK

Three major waterbodies—the Hudson Blue Network for recreational enjoyment, • Boating: human-powered boating River, the , and the New commerce, and beauty. To engage all residents (canoeing, kayaking, rowing), sailing, York Bight of the Atlantic Ocean. Four tidal and visitors with the Blue Network, the City power boating straits. Two vast bays separated by narrows. is seeking to promote water recreation that is • Near-water: Fishing, bird-watching, hiking, Not to mention several other major rivers, safe and accessible to all, expand waterborne biking streams, and canals. Together the waterways transportation, and create the necessary • Cruises: Tour boats, dinner cruises, surrounding, and shaping, New York make up waterfront infrastructure to maximize the use concert cruises one of the most complex harbors in the world. of the Harbor and its tributaries for cultural Access points and facilities are essential to Think of the waterways as a geographic entity activities, historic events, educational programs, these activities (as seen in Figure 1, page 87). in and of itself—a sixth borough, if you will, a and energy generation. Such sites are dependent upon natural land- space that unites rather than divides the various These new uses present challenges. For forms to a certain extent, but public and private parts of New York. This Blue Network is not instance, as the City increases recreational entities also create and manage them. These only a highly diverse and productive ecological access, there is a need to prevent conflicts access points and facilities include: system, it’s also an incredible public resource between recreational boaters and commercial • Beaches: 14 miles of swimmable beaches for people who live and work in, as well as visit, ships. In addition, it is important to consider in New York City. best usage standards for the water, along with • Marinas: 13 public marinas and more than And it’s one that hasn’t been fully tapped short-term decreases in water quality after wet 100 private marinas yet. In the past few decades, huge advances weather and other safety issues such as strong • Mooring Fields: two public mooring fields, have been made in our waterways: water currents. Making the most of the Harbor and in Sheepshead Bay and Great Kills Harbor quality is improved, and is tributaries will improve quality of life for residents • Kayak/Canoe Launches: More than 40 healthier; waterfront access and water recre- and increase the city’s appeal to visitors. The launch sites, most managed by the City ation have proliferated; and there’s renewed Blue Network has the potential to enhance • Boat Storage: Ranging from shipping interest in waterborne transportation as a more New York in infinite ways. containers repurposed as kayak storage to efficient and sustainable mode of transportation larger facilities at marinas. for passengers and freight, and in the potential PROVIDING FOR WATER More and more residents, schoolchildren, use of tides and currents for renewable energy. RECREATION and visitors are experiencing the city by boat, Still, there are many unrealized opportunities to and community boating clubs have emerged connect people with the waterways—physical- With its diverse waterbodies, New York offers a throughout New York. One of the most suc- ly, visually, and culturally—and to stitch the Blue variety of possibilities for water recreation. And cessful programs in promoting the use of the Network into the city’s urban fabric. Too many the advances in water quality and access to the waterways for recreation is the New York City residents and visitors to New York do not get waterfront have spurred participation in, and Water Trail, run by the New York City Depart- out on the water, whether because of lack of demand for, water recreation. ment of Parks & Recreation in conjunction with public programs, concern over water quality, or New Yorkers are taking to water-based a newly established partner organization, the simply because they just aren’t aware of all the activities like never before. These activities in- New York City Water Trail Association. Capital- Blue Network has to offer. clude the following sports and activities: izing on the surge in popularity of human-pow- With this plan the City aims to change • In-water: swimming, surfing, ered boating, this program established launch that. By giving planning for the waterways the bodyboarding, windsurfing, wake boarding, sites for kayaks, canoes, and rowboats and same focus and attention given to planning jet skiing, paddle boarding, snorkeling, provides online maps for guidance on routes for the land, New York can capitalize on the scuba diving to take. Despite great progress in utilizing the city’s waterways for recreation, more progress can be made. While there are many areas where “When New York City was created, there was no Central Park. The park for the public has access to the waterfront, only a was the water’s edge—a pristine and beautiful place. We need to limited number of these places provide direct recognize the water as this great resource again.” access to the water itself, necessary for any sort of water recreation. Many and waterfront —Roland Lewis, Executive Director, Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance parks have railings or rip-rap shorelines, which preclude boat access. New boat launches could

86 ENHANCE THE BLUE NETWORK Shipping Channel Kayak / Canoe Launch Boat Launch / Marina

LONG ISLAND SOUND

THE BRONX HUDSON RIVER

EAST RIVER

MANHATTAN

QUEENS

UPPER

BROOKLYN

STATEN ISLAND

LOWER NEW YORK BAY

ATLANTIC OCEAN

0 2.5 5 [ NYC Department of City Planning, Coast Guard, New York City Police Department, United States Army Corps of Engineers City Police Department of City Planning, United States Coast Guard, New York NYC Figure 1: Boat launch points, marinas, and shipping channels, demonstrating the diversity of activities on the Blue Network and also the potential challenges in securing the safety and productivity of its many users. be added to the New York City Water Trail, and provides a unique vantage point from which to New York Harbor is a commercial port— design guidelines should be developed for boat take in the urban environment, there are possi- the third largest in the country and largest on launch types and features appropriate for differ- ble threats to safety and security associated with the East Coast. Our waterways are home to ent kinds of waterfront areas. More marina fa- recreational use of the Harbor. Within New busy shipping channels frequented by container cilities are needed so that more people can get York State, waterways that are affected by tides ships, oil tankers, and significant tug and barge out into New York’s Blue Network. are considered to be “navigable by law,” and the fleets. These large ships require great distances There are challenges and constraints that public has a right to these waters. However, to slow or change course. In addition to water- must be taken into consideration when plan- government may impose restrictions on the use borne freight carriers, there are also passenger ning for the expansion of water recreation. of the waterways to protect the health, safety, , excursion vessels, and water taxis pro- While water recreation promotes health and and welfare of the public. viding commuter service and sightseeing trips.

VISION 2020: NEW YORK CITY COMPREHENSIVE WATERFRONT PLAN 87 use oftheBlueNetwork. recreational healthy and safe promote nity,will commu boating the to support and guidance providing and configurations, and locations ate appropri in facilities City.new the Creating for priority a York’sis New waterways of joyment appropriate meansofreducingwakes. be may attenuators wave employing as well as restrictions wake and speed enforcing and ing Limit hazards. safety pose and vessels; other and bulkheads, piers, damage erosion; cause concern. Wakes caused by motorized boats can a also is boats by caused wakes planned, traffic themselves indanger. place unknowingly may who boaters individual for enforcement or regulation little relatively excursions with able guides. There is, however, providing and boaters new instructing at fective ef- are boathouses Community them. around those of safety the and safety own their ensure to how know and concerns quality water and sites, secure channels, shipping currents, tides, water qualitylimitsrecreation. Unsafe pollution. industrial by caused sediment contaminated of presence the is factor major Another movement. water little with terways wa- constricted in weather—exacerbated wet after water the contaminate can which flows, over sewer combined to due partially is risk This contact. human direct for safe not is water the where areas certain still are there decades, has improved substantially over the past several quality water Though areas. some in quality ter of security. level high a requiring functions other perform or transportation, and ports to critical are sites These use. recreational with compatible not are that Harbor the throughout sites are there recreation for appropriate are waterways city’s small craftcanbeincrediblydangerous. a in place wrong the in caught getting rienced, expe- most the even For boaters. recreational for challenges pose can movements, tidal bor’s The vessels and their wakes, as well as the Har 88 ept tee ocrs rcetoa en- recreational concerns, these Despite commercial and recreation increased With of aware are boaters recreational Most wa- poor is hazard safety potential Another In addition, although the vast majority of the ENHANCE THE BLUE NETWORK - - - - - A NewYork ontheEastRiver. of New York & New examined all the all examined Jersey New York& New of Portthe of behalf on Association Plan Authority formly successful. A 2006 study by the Regional uni- been not have operations robust, is Harbor today.) the in operating services ferry the for ridership daily and routes the shows 89, page 2, (Figure service. mass-transit vital a also is Yorkit City, New of images iconic the of one become has Ferry Island Staten the Though ferries. private the on riders 26,400 and Ferry Island Staten mute, with approximately 60,000 riders on the com- daily their of part as Harbor and rivers out the region. Nearly 90,000 riders take to the tant transportation link for commuters through impor an provide rivers Hudson and East the 24 millionpassengersayear. about carries ridership, in country the in largest second the system, ferry WashingtonState the about 30 million people a year. By comparison, Ferry and the private services carry York.New of City the within vice Together the sey and New York City, with limited private ser Jer New between passengers carry operators private These operators. ferry private five with along Manhattan, Lower with Island Staten of Shore North the country,linking the in service ferry run municipally biggest the Ferry, Island Staten the of comprised is system The ership. rid- of terms in U.S. the in system ferry the largest has region metropolitan York New The SERVICE EXPANDING FERRY While ferry service in the metropolitan area and Harbor York New plying ferries The - - - - bined recreationalandcommuter services;and for new service; looks at the potential for com- service corridors possible four identifies for sites; 41 from prospects market the considers study The service. of expansion for potential the and YorkCity New in service ferry views marketing andtourismorganization. official Company,& NYC City’s of the initiative NYHarborWay,with partnership in an 2010 in velopment Corporation (EDC) initiated a study De- Economic York City New the increased, cent). To examine how ferry ridership could be total per 1 (approximately ridership of transit regional percentage small very a remain ries fer service, ferry in interest increased Despite Study ofFerryServiceViability and expandingferryservice. maintaining to challenges many are there but tive alternative to other forms of transportation, the two states. Ferry service provides an attrac- connecting bridges and tunnels the on placed be would stress additional and be overburdened, would service subway PATH the these ferries, Without City. York New to portation trans- fast and frequent for ferries private the on depend communities riverfront Jersey New of Residents rails. and roads crowded York’s focused onthetrans-HudsonRivermarket. routes surviving the of most with discontinued, time the report was published, and 31 had been the at remained routes 24 these, Of tablished. es- were routes ferry 55 period that During 1986. since established been had that routes The Ferries are an important alternative to New Comprehensive Citywide Ferryre - Citywide Study Comprehensive - -

NYC Economic Development Corporation NYCDOT transit options? Are the alternative transit PassengerTransport Port Imperial Edgewater (Weehawken) O ffice of PrivateFerries services beyond a reasonable walking FerryRidership &Route Map distance? Do the alternative transit services UPWP10–4th Q (January 1–March 31, 2010) 84 AverageDaily Ridership: (Intrepid) require more than one transfer to reach a PrivateFerries: 26,403 Lincoln Harbor Number of Routes:21 (Weehawken) Pier 79 Numbersrepresent totaldaily passengermovements (W. 39th St.) final destination? (arrival anddeparture) 2. Are the transit alternatives overcrowded, Hoboken N.

Pier 62 and will the ferry service create new (W. 22nd St.) capacity in those corridors? Will that NYC DOT Passenger Transport KEY E. 34th St. O ce of Private Ferries •DO(Departures Only) additional capacity help avoid the need for • SS=Seastreak Hunter’s Point Ferry Ridership & Route Map •SIF=StatenIslandFerry expensive capital investments in ground UPWP10-4th Q (January 1- March 31, 2010) •BAT =B rooklynArmyTerminal Hoboken S. • LLM=L iberty LandingMarina transit? Pier 45 Average Daily Ridership: •BPC=B atteryPark City (Christopher St.) Private Ferries: 26,403 •WFC=W orld FinancialCenter 3. Will the riders of the ferry service save Newport Number of Routes: 21 •Unlessindicated,operatoris Numbers reqpresent total daily passenger movements NYWaterway time by using the water? (arrival and departure) • FFL=F ultonFerryLanding •WMIT=West Midtown 4. Does the route provide needed Ridership by Routes & Operator Intermodal Terminal Operator # of Routes Ridership •BMB=B atteryMaritimeBldg. emergency-evacuation capability? New York Waterway (NYW) 7 11,276 43% Colgate Billy Bey (BB) •[NYC] =New York City WFC (Vesey St.) 8 12,162 46% Paulus Hook Seastreak (SS) 2 2,401 9% •[PA ]=PortAuthority 5. Will the ferry service attract patrons New York Water Taxi (NYWT) 3 372 1% •[NYW]=New York Waterway Liberty Harbor Liberty Landing Marina (LLM) 1 192 1% Williamsburg Total 21 26,403 •NC=NorthCove Pier 11 who would otherwise drive to their •NYWater Taxi -NYWT Liberty State BMB (Wall St.) runs April–October KEY •BB=BillyBey Park Slip 5 destinations? Does the service promise DO Departure Only SIF WT (SIF) FFL the environmental benefits of reduced BAT Army Terminal BPC WFC World Financial Center emissions? FFL Landing WMIT West Midtown Intermodal Terminal BMB Battery Maritime Building 6. Can the service be integrated into the NC North Cove PA Port Authority Port Liberté existing transit network, both from service NYC York City and fare perspectives?

Operator Ridership* Governing Structure and Funding Red Hook / IKEA New York Waterways 11,276 Billy Bey 12,162 of Ferry Service Seastreak 2,401 The study indicates that private funding and op- New York Water Taxi 372 Liberty Landing Marina 192 eration of ferries within the city is unlikely with- out public subsidy. Just as other transit services Total Private 26,403 need public subsidies to operate, all four corri- Staten Island Ferry 60,000 dors identified in the study would require fund- Staten Island Atlantic Belford Highlands Highlands Rockaway *Average Daily Ridership (January - March, 2010) ing beyond the farebox. Existing ferry services BAT (58th Street)

NYC Department of Transportation NYC from require no public subsidies Figure 2: Current ferry routes and ridership in New York Harbor. because the west bank of the Hudson River has robust development and limited transit options, examines key policy issues including govern- and weekend recreational service would affect both of which make ferry service more com- ing structure, funding, and integration into the ridership and cost. During off-peak hours, one petitive. Services within New York City would larger transit network. of the boats that would otherwise sit idle would require public subsidy, raising questions of gov- As part of the study, public meetings and be used for recreational service to Harbor des- erning structure and funding. discussions with local elected officials were held tinations such as and Brook- The Comprehensive Citywide Ferry Study to identify 41 sites throughout the city for de- lyn Bridge Park. The analysis shows that during looks at a number of governing options. These tailed examination (see Figure 3, page 90). Each off-peak hours more riders could be attracted range from a bi-state entity like the Port Au- site was assessed for its market size, its existing to recreational ferry sites than to commuter thority to a regional entity like the Metropolitan transit travel time to lower and midtown Man- sites. And more riders could mean that the Transportation Authority to a City agency like hattan, cost of operating the service, and other per-passenger subsidy would decline, reducing the Department of Transportation. Also being factors. Based on this analysis sites are ranked. demands on public resources needed to oper- examined are special districts devoted to the The study groups promising sites into four ate the service while still maintaining necessary provision of ferry service. No recommendations corridors and examines the ridership, cost, and service levels during peak commuter hours. are being made regarding governing structure, public subsidy that would be required to run a To help determine whether it makes sense but if ferry services continue to be pursued the service in these corridors. Corridors identified to initiate service in any of the corridors identi- question will need to be addressed. are along the Hudson River, both sides of the fied, the study asks a series of questions. The Hand in hand with the issue of governing , and in southwest Brooklyn. The po- questions help establish criteria for evaluating structure is funding. If a public subsidy is re- tential services are assumed to have frequencies ferry service potential and assessing whether a quired, where should the funding come from? of 20-25 minutes in peak commuter hours. public subsidy should be considered: While public authorities in San Francisco, Se- The analysis considers how adding off-peak 1. Is the market underserved by other public- attle, and Boston subsidize private ferry provid-

VISION 2020: NEW YORK CITY COMPREHENSIVE WATERFRONT PLAN 89 as the result of recent rezoning of underutilized Commuter sites Riverdale

NY HarborWay sites industrial areas with major economic centers in

Co-Op City Hybrid commuter/NY HarborWay sites Dyckman St. Manhattan. Ferry service offers the potential for (Shaded sites do not have an existing ferry landing.) Fordham Landing Orchard Beach a faster, more comfortable ride to the central

R. Clemente State Park City Island business districts of Manhattan. Stadium Other features will be examined as part of W. 125 Soundview this pilot program: integration of commuter and Hunts Pt. Ferry Pt. recreational service; ridership; effectiveness of Randall’s Island marketing; ticketing infrastructure; customer World Financial Center W. 69 E. 90 LaGuardia Pier 84 Astoria N. Roosevelt Is. satisfaction; fare levels; sustainable funding; and Pier 79 Upper East Side Pier 17 intermodal connectivity to buses and bikes. The S. Roosevelt Is. Pier 15 E. 34 The Battery (Slips 1-6) West pilot will test many of the assumptions of the Fulton Pier 11 Christopher St. E. 23 Ferry/ Greenpoint BMB Pier 1 ferry study and is likely to serve as a template N. Williamsburg Whitehall See Soissons Dock S. Williamsburg for the development of future ferry services. Pier 6 inset Statue of Liberty Piers 101/102 Yankee Pier map Atlantic Basin Red Hook PLANNING FOR MARITIME JFK EMERGENCY EVACUATION BAT Snug Harbor Bay Ridge New York City’s unique geography—a dense Stapleton urban environment built on coastal islands—is a great asset. However, it carries certain risks: Floyd Bennett Field increased potential for hazards and increased Coney Island Sheepshead Bay Rockaway vulnerability to their effects. The Blue Network and maritime transpor- tation are crucial to New York’s ability to re- spond to emergency situations. The Nor’easter

Camp St. Edward of 1992, the Northeast Blackout of 2003, the Tottenville 0 2.5 5 [

NYC Economic Development Corporation NYC 2005 Transit Strike, and 9/11 caused major Figure 3: Sites evaluated in the Comprehensive Citywide Ferry Study. disruptions to the transportation system. Com- muter ferry routes in New York Harbor played ers, public-sector operating subsidies for private fers should be offered at reduced or no cost. an important role helping the city during these ferry services in the New York metropolitan re- Achieving these goals will require agreements incidents. Nearly 460,000 people evacuated gion have been limited. The ferry study reviews between transit providers to coordinate sched- by ferries on 9/11, and during a host of tax and revenue sources, including gen- ules, accept transfers, and share fare revenue. the Northeast Blackout of 2003 ferry service eral tax sources such as the property tax, sales expanded to five times its normal capacity. tax, and income tax; federal and state sources; Upcoming East River Pilot Program The New York City Office of Emergency and special district funding. No recommenda- The New York City ferry study identifies the Management (OEM) is responsible for helping tions are specified, but decisions will need to be East River corridor as the corridor most in- the city prepare for emergencies. OEM works made with respect to long-term funding. dependently financially viable, requiring the with public- and private-sector partners to de- least City subsidy. As a result, EDC is working velop plans that guide the city’s response dur- Integration into the Regional with private providers to establish a publicly ing these events. Many of these plans, including Transit System subsidized pilot program linking Brooklyn and NYC’s Area Evacuation Plan and Disaster Logis- A key issue regarding development of future Queens with Manhattan. The East River pilot tics Plan, rely on maritime operations. ferry service is whether the service can be in- program, which is scheduled to start service in Unfortunately, access to our waterways and tegrated into the broader transit network. With spring 2011, will connect several destinations the number of suitable maritime landing loca- the exception of Lower Manhattan and Jersey along the waterfront. The service will include tions have steadily eroded over the past several City, the densest employment centers in the the following sites: Queens West, Greenpoint, decades. Furthermore, many of the existing New York City area are located inland. In many North and South Williamsburg, and Fulton Ferry landing sites cannot accommodate the wide instances, commuters will have to transfer from on the east side of the East River, and E. 34th range of vessels that operate in the Harbor the ferry service to some other transit mode St. and Wall St./Pier 11 in Manhattan. A recre- today. Fewer and smaller landing sites diminish before reaching a final destination. The more ational component also may be added. the capability of the City’s emergency evacua- seamless that transfer can be, and the less costly The service will test ridership demand from tion and disaster logistics operations. Increasing it is, the more likely riders will use the ferry ser- developing residential areas along the East the number of ferry landings and expanding the vice. Connections between ferry service and River. The new route will connect communi- capacity of existing locations will dramatically in- bus or subway service are crucial. Ideally, trans- ties in Brooklyn and Queens that have grown crease our resilience during and after disasters.

90 ENHANCE THE BLUE NETWORK USING THE WATERWAYS FOR EDUCATION

The Blue Network can play an important edu- cational role. It can help us learn about New York City history and about environmental is- sues, climate change, and the aquatic habitat. There are school programs throughout New York that utilize our waterways as a teaching tool. The Urban Assembly New York Harbor School, a public high school located on Governors Island, has designed its entire cur- riculum around the waterways. Students study the aquatic environment, marine vessels, fish- ing, and oyster gardening. They learn what New York’s Harbor was once like and are chal- lenged to consider what it can become. Many graduates go on to careers in the maritime in- dustry or environmental sciences. The Harbor © Carolina Salguero School could be a model for schools in water- The historic Dutch Flat Bottomed Fleet in Atlantic Basin, Brooklyn, during an event cosponsored by PortSide and the NYC Economic Development Corporation. front locations elsewhere in New York. Educational organizations also offer pro- INCREASING PUBLIC shoreline to be viewed as an attractive location grams that provide learning opportunities. One AWARENESS for businesses, which, in turn, provide jobs for example: Rocking the Boat, which engages residents and more financial investment in pro- schoolchildren in the South Bronx in building Though New York is bounded by water, it tecting the water for continued public use. wooden boats, then learning to use the boats in has not been perceived as a waterfront city. Branding initiatives, such as NYC & Com- the waterways near their community. For too long New York cut itself off from the pany’s NYHarborWay, are another way to Higher-education institutions also use the waterfront. If it hadn’t been for places like the heighten the Blue Network’s visibility among waterways for teaching. The New York City Battery launch to the Statue of Liberty and El- New Yorkers and visitors. This program, College of Technology recently received a five- lis Island, some visitors might never have even launched in 2006, promotes a unified identity year $3.1 million grant from the U.S. Depart- been aware of the waters around the city. It for the sites that make up the Upper Bay in ment of Education to revise the general-educa- is only in recent years that public attention has Brooklyn and Manhattan, including Governors tion component of the college curriculum. As shifted to the shoreline. Now it’s important to Island, the East River Esplanade South, and faculty design courses, they will integrate the make people aware not only of the waterfront Park. This program presents a study of the Brooklyn waterfront into all disci- but of the waters themselves, and the benefits model of how to bring vibrancy to waterfront plines—from science to history, from literature that can be gained from engaging with the Blue public spaces through marketing, wayfinding, to math—treating the waterfront as a living lab. Network. Reconnecting with the water will and transportation connections. As part of the grant, the school will receive provide social, economic, and environmental The City’s Department of Cultural Affairs matching funds of up to $50,000 annually to advantages. has provided funding to many cultural institu- endow a Brooklyn Waterfront Center that will Water-focused events help bring attention tions on the waterfront that promote the use sponsor research and public programs. to the Blue Network. These events include of the Blue Network. Funding has gone to- Boat tours, museums, and historic sites the City of Water Day, an annual celebration wards Figment, a free annual participatory-arts and vessels also highlight maritime history and organized by the Metropolitan Waterfront Al- festival on Governors Island, and the annual aquatic ecology. Many boat tours, such as those liance held on multiple sites throughout the Hunts Point Fish Parade and Summer Festival offered by the Working Harbor Committee, Harbor, and the Mayor’s Cup, an annual 28- presented by The Point Community Develop- provide a first-hand view of New York’s mari- mile kayak race around the island of Manhattan. ment Corporation in the South Bronx. time industry. The Waterfront Museum, located Such events also have economic benefits such Private and nonprofit groups also play a role on a floating barge in Red Hook, Brooklyn, has as stimulating tourism. In 2008, the artist Olafur in promoting New York’s waterways. Through educational programming for schoolchildren Eliasson’s “New York City Waterfalls” tempo- its advocacy and programming—and use of a and adults. The museum’s mission is to pro- rary art installation at locations along the wa- former tanker, Mary A. Whelan—the organiza- vide public waterfront access, promote historic terfront drew hundreds of thousands of people tion PortSide introduces people to the working preservation, and foster an understanding of and generated millions of dollars in revenue for waterfront as well as theatrical events that bring the New York Harbor as a place for commerce the city. Events like these ultimately cause the them in contact with the water. and commuters, culture and recreation.

VISION 2020: NEW YORK CITY COMPREHENSIVE WATERFRONT PLAN 91 strong flows and currents that switch direction with the tides throughout the day, is the world’s first grid-connected array of tidal turbines. Dur- ing the current demonstration phase of the proj- ect, six full-scale turbines (five meters in diam- eter) are installed in the east channel at a depth of 25 to 30 feet. The turbines are connected to the city grid, providing 70 megawatts of energy. The project is currently being expanded, and Verdant is applying for a license from the Fed- eral Energy Regulatory Commission to provide energy to consumers. At full build-out, RITE could power 8,000 to 10,000 homes. Tidal energy is also being explored at the Ward’s Island Renewable Energy Park. Here tidal-energy turbines, combined with wind tur- bines, provide renewable energy for lighting the park, community center, and stadium. There are concerns related to the use of tidal energy. Environmental concerns include the issue of whether turbines will affect river New York Harbor Foundation New York flow patterns, damage fish through turbine Students from the Harbor School ready oyster spat for placement on the Bay Ridge Flats oyster reef. blades or noise, or affect birds that nest nearby (though in studies conducted by RITE, there Through these programs and others, more ADVANCING MARINE-BASED were no detectable impacts on fish or birds in and more people are engaging with the Blue ALTERNATIVE ENERGY the project area). In addition, the maritime in- Network and learning about the importance dustry has raised concerns about potential im- of our waterways in New York’s history, ecol- Thanks to emerging technologies, the Blue pacts on channel navigability. ogy, and economy. Despite these successes, Network can help supplement New York’s there are barriers to expanding the scale of energy sources with clean, marine-based alter- Offshore Wind Power these activities, including liability concerns, the native modes of power generation. Along with Wind turbines offshore are another potential challenges of getting to the waterfront with a other renewable sources—such as solar, geo- source of marine-related renewable energy. large group of schoolchildren, and the need to thermal, and biomass—marine-based energy is Ocean-based wind power is stronger and more integrate these activities into an already full edu- a potential tool for achieving the City’s goal of consistent than power from land-based facili- cational curriculum. With the growing interest reducing greenhouse-gas emissions 30 percent ties. And due to the city’s geography and inten- in making sustainability a priority in K-12 edu- by 2030, as articulated in PlaNYC. sive use of land, it has more potential for New cation, there is a great opportunity right now York City than onshore options. However, it is to make waterfront issues part of what every Tidal Energy more expensive—about twice as expensive— New York City student learns. After all, the Tidal energy, a form of hydropower that uses to build offshore. children coming up through the school system a turbine to convert the energy of tides into There currently are no offshore wind proj- today will one day advance knowledge of the electricity, has great potential as a source of en- ects operating in New York (or elsewhere in the waterways and become the future stewards of ergy that is carbon-neutral and emission-free, country, for that matter), but several have re- our Blue Network. as well as predictable and reliable. New York is cently been proposed in our region. The New one of only a few states that possess sufficient York City Offshore Wind Project, a partnership free-flowing waters in tides, rivers, and waves between the New York Power Authority and to make kinetic hydropower a viable energy a private developer, is exploring the possibility source. Turbines are completely underwater, of setting up a 64,500-acre wind farm 13 miles silent, and invisible from shore. They do not re- off the Rockaway Peninsula. Feasibility and wind quire dams or other structures that redirect the studies are still ongoing, but the project is be- natural flow of water, so they have little impact ing designed to yield 350 megawatts of energy, on sediment. with the ability to expand to 700 megawatts. A This technology is currently being tested in 350-megawatt facility operating at 30 percent a pilot project in the East River near Roosevelt capacity would generate energy for more than Island. Verdant Power’s Tidal 250,000 homes. Energy (RITE), which utilizes the tidal strait’s There are environmental concerns associ-

92 ENHANCE THE BLUE NETWORK Kris Unger/Verdant Power, Inc. Power, Kris Unger/Verdant Wind turbine at the Tides at Charleston, Staten Island. Installation of Verdant Power tidal turbines in the east channel of the East River. ated with offshore wind power, including po- power. Brooklyn Navy Yard also has streetlights services to buildings located directly on the tential effects on bird and marine life and con- designed by Duggal Energy Solutions, a Navy waterfront through aqua-thermal systems that tribution to coastal erosion. These issues would Yard tenant, which use solar and wind power involve loops to coils submerged in the water. need to be studied before any project could and are expected to save $600,000 on installa- In the summer, the loops transfer heat away move forward. Another concern is the sight tion and $11,000 a year on energy costs. The from buildings and into the water, where it is of wind turbines from the shore—the cause of Tides at Charleston, a residential development absorbed. In the winter, the loops draw on the opposition to offshore wind projects elsewhere on the west shore of Staten Island, has 45-foot latent warmth of the water to return heat. The in the country. In order for the wind farms not freestanding wind turbines along the Arthur Kill. Battery Park City Authority is proposing the de- to be visible from the land, they would need While Con Edison had concerns about con- velopment of a heat pump system to provide to be located 12 to 15 miles offshore. Finally, necting the turbines to the city’s grid for fear of for the heating and cooling of the Pier A build- the locations of off-shore wind turbines must power disruption, the turbines were eventually ing, located on the Hudson River at the foot of be evaluated for impacts on shipping lanes and connected and now provide power to the de- Manhattan. The system would involve a closed commercial fishing areas. velopment’s streetlights and sewage system. loop installation utilizing the river water beneath Like offshore wind power, onshore turbines the piers. Onshore Wind Power raise aesthetic concerns. Another problem: in- Aqua-thermal heating and cooling systems Coastal winds are another potential source of consistent wind speeds within the city. Speeds are considered more efficient than those based power. While no significant large-scale projects average only six miles an hour, and are dispersed on ground or air sources because the loops are within the city have been proposed, smaller by densely packed buildings. in water at a depth that maintains a consistent demonstration projects are under way at sev- temperature. Since these systems would result eral sites throughout New York. At the Brook- Aqua-Thermal Heating and Cooling in the discharge of heat to the surrounding wa- lyn Navy Yard, a three-story building finished in A major energy demand in New York City is ter, they must meet state regulatory standards 2009 includes six 6-foot wind turbines on its the heating and cooling of buildings. The Blue for potential heat load on the water. roof, which provide 10 percent of the building’s Network can play a role in providing these

VISION 2020: NEW YORK CITY COMPREHENSIVE WATERFRONT PLAN 93 Enhance the Blue Network: Strategies and Projects

This plan envisions a waterfront in 2020 that is waterways for activities as diverse as human- to catalyze investment in waterfront enhance- better integrated with the waterways. By capi- powered boating, ferry service, and renewable ment. The City commits to initiating these talizing on New York’s waterbodies for recre- energy generation. The City will also increase projects over the next three years and will be ation, transportation, education, and energy public awareness of the Blue Network, both tracking progress on an ongoing basis. For each generation, the City will make better use of this to promote the enjoyment of the waterways project, the lead agency and implementation natural asset and enhance the role of the Blue and to educate residents about potential safety year are noted. Network in the city’s daily life. concerns such as poor water quality, strong cur- Together, these strategies and projects lay To realize this goal, the City will pursue the rents, and ship traffic. out a comprehensive vision for the waterfront following set of strategies over the next 10 years. Vision 2020’s 10-year strategies are comple- and waterways and a plan of action to achieve Through improved infrastructure, policies, and mented by the New York City Waterfront Action that vision. programs, the City will expand the use of the Agenda, a set of projects chosen for their ability 1. Promote water recreation in suitable locations with access points, docks, and on-shore facilities.

VISION 2020 STRATEGIES ACTION AGENDA PROJECTS • Working with city, state, federal agencies and stakeholders, explore ways to promote recre- • Create design guidelines for best human- ational boating by building more or expanding existing marinas and facilities. This includes ex- powered boat launch types and features. ploring opportunities to promote small marinas city-wide, such as town docks and eco-docks, (DPR, 2013) and constructing one or more super marinas somewhere in the city with a mariner center for • Hunts Point, : Complete repairs, leasing, etc. expansion of launch platform for canoes • Examine potential funding sources for construction and maintenance of public boating facilities. and small boats for floating dock at Hunts • Encourage public boathouses and boat storage containers at launch sites on private and public Point-Riverside Park. (DPR, 2013) property. • Manhattanville, Manhattan: Activate West • Explore reducing or eliminating fees for historic vessels and educational and non-profit uses of Harlem Piers Park’s excursion boat pier public marinas, docks, etc. where feasible. and ferry barge. (EDC, 2011) • Examine dredging needs for supporting recreational boat traffic. • Inwood, Manhattan: Complete repair • Expand and improve the New York City Water Trail for human-powered boating. and replacement of floating docks, and construct restaurant, snack bar, and • Establish siting criteria and guidelines to expand opportunities for new human-powered boat restrooms at Dyckman Street Marina. launches, taking into account water quality and potential conflicts with commercial vessels and (DPR, 2012) other recreational boats such as power and sail boats. Criteria must also be related to advisory and educational efforts to advise the public to avoid primary contact and ingestion with water that is not within a designated bathing beach for 48 hours after a storm event. • Explore ways to create a centralized insurance program for boathouses. • Explore opportunities to create a waterfront swimming area in Manhattan. • Consider allowing human-powered boat launches on public beaches. • Explore permitting or other appropriate mechanisms to allow ship crews, or ship keepers, to remain on board vessels overnight. • Work with city, state, and federal agencies as well as stakeholders to examine and imple- ment effective measures to limit the damages caused by wakes. This may include limiting and enforcing speed and wake restrictions as well as employing wave-attenuating devices, where appropriate. 2. Clarify and enhance regulatory and organizational mechanisms to ensure safety of water recreation and reduce potential conflicts among various users of the waterways.

VISION 2020 STRATEGIES ACTION AGENDA PROJECTS • Explore establishing a Harbor Management Plan (or plans for specific areas of the city’s • Develop comprehensive policy for water waterways) by working with the Coast Guard and other key partners, including the public. use, navigation, and access. (Mayor’s The Plan would guide water uses based on such criteria as water quality, locations of sensitive Office/DEP/DOHMH/ DPR/DCP/EDC, infrastructure, and adjacent uses. 2012) • Consider creating a centralized data center for incident reporting, conflicts between users, and • Develop more detailed human health dangerous areas and conditions by working with the Coast Guard. protection advisories to keep boaters safe • Consider other mechanisms to increase boater safety and education including exploration of from environmental and physical threats. New York State certification and licensing for operators of motorized vessels and increasing the (DEP/DOHMH/DPR, 2013) role of boathouses and marinas in providing boater safety education.

94 ENHANCE THE BLUE NETWORK 3. Increase waterborne public transportation.

VISION 2020 STRATEGIES ACTION AGENDA PROJECTS • Examine long-term opportunities for increased ferry and water taxi service. • Test feasibility of commuter ferry service • Encourage potential ridership by creating more public destinations and residential popu- on the East River connecting Brooklyn and lations at appropriate locations. Queens with Manhattan. (EDC, 2011) • Seek opportunities for improved intermodal connections to waterborne transportation, • Coney Island, Brooklyn: Complete Coney such as MetroCard integration and scheduling of connecting services. Island Ferry Study to determine feasibility of ferry service. (EDC, 2011) • St. George, Staten Island and Whitehall, Manhattan ferry terminals: Develop recom- mendations for an enhanced docking system for the Staten Island Ferry fender racks. (DOT, 2012) • Murray Hill: Construct E. 35th Street ferry landing that provides sheltered waiting area, ticketing, and pedestrian amenities. (EDC, 2012)

4. Increase New York City’s preparedness for waterborne emergency evacuation.

VISION 2020 STRATEGIES ACTION AGENDA PROJECTS • Increase the number and size of ferry landings adequate for emergency evacuation. • Develop procedures to coordinate real-time • Modify waterfront infrastructure to allow for emergency ferry access, such as providing support for maritime evacuation including openings in railings, mooring features, and dual-docking capacity. ferry routes and landings, crowd control, • Improve coordination between emergency-response administrators and private ferry enhanced mass transit service, and public operators. information. (OEM, 2011) • Work with partners to acquire essential resources for emergency ferry operations during • Identify waterfront infrastructure projects that times of crisis. increase capability for emergency evacuations and disaster logistics. (OEM, 2011)

5. Increase public knowledge and awareness of the waterfront and waterways.

VISION 2020 STRATEGIES ACTION AGENDA PROJECTS • Create website with information on public access locations, including type of access • Install new CSO outfall signs, enhance CSO (launch, dock, esplanade etc.), water quality, depth, currents, and tides. website notification, and increase water qual- • Encourage growth of programs for water-related education for youth and schools, ity sampling sites. (DEP, 2011) including swimming classes. • Work with local and non-profit organizations to provide environmental education and training.

6. Explore renewable energy opportunities on our waterfront and in our waterways.

VISION 2020 STRATEGIES • Explore opportunities for renewable energy generation along the waterfront and in the waterways, such as the Roosevelt Island Tidal Energy project. • Explore options for increasing City involvement in the review of off-shore wind projects.

VISION 2020: NEW YORK CITY COMPREHENSIVE WATERFRONT PLAN 95