What’s happening at Pier 35 on the East River, which is one day destined to become an elaborate eco-park?
The other day, we reported on the city’s plan to activate Pier 36 for docking (to possibly include transportation, maritime operations, recreation and educational activities). Meanwhile, the transformation of the neighboring site to the south, Pier 35, seems to have stalled. So we asked the Economic Development Corp. (EDC), which is overseeing the East River Esplanade Project, for an update.
The timetable for completion has been pushed back from this coming fall to the spring of 2014. According to an EDC spokesperson, Hurricane Sandy-related complications on portions of the esplanade further to the south and general construction delays are responsible for the revised schedule. When completed, the section of the waterfront near Jefferson Street will include the eco-park, plus seating, swings and a lawn area. As you can see from some of these photos, the recreational area is right next to to south end of Pier 36, which serves as a Department of Sanitation facility. A large planted architectural “screenwall” made of steel will provide a buffer between the sanitation shed and the park.
Nice, but they can’t seem to weed East river park right now, so what will happen with more parks?