Pier 42 on the East River Waterfront.

Tonight the Parks Department and Community Board 3 will be looking for public input about a new park they plan to build on Pier 42, at the end of Montgomery Street.  It’s always been the plan to tear down the abandoned shed, pictured above, and turn the large space adjacent to the East River Promenade into a public recreation area.  Several weeks ago the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. allocated $14 million for the first phase of the project.

This evening, State Senator Daniel Squadron, who along with U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, pushed for the LMDC funding, will help set up the discussion. There will then be a presentation from city officials, which will include a timetable for demolition and construction as well as a refresher on previous plans the community developed for Pier 42 (a decade ago an urban beach and boat launch was envisioned).

Officials emphasize that tonight’s discussion will begin an entirely new community visioning process.  While it will take several years to plan and build the park,  demolition of the shed could happen later this year.  Neighborhood non-profits, including Hester Street Collaborative, have talked about holding community events at Pier 42, as a way of “reclaiming” the space for public use.

Tonight’s meeting begins at 7 p.m. at the BRC Senior Center, 30 Delancey Street.