The future East River Esplanade

According to the master plan, which was developed by the New York City Department of City Planning and SHoP Architects, infrastructure will be rehabilitated, pedestrian areas will be repaved, and the piers themselves will offer new waterfront amenities -- including “get downs” that serve as combined steps/seating linking the esplanade to the water’s edge. The project will replace the waterfront’s utilitarian concrete slabs along the FDR Drive with a playground, bikeway/walkway, and several planted seating areas, transforming the two-mile stretch that connects the Financial District, Chinatown, and the Lower East Side.

The Economic Development Corporation is managing the design and construction of the project. Other agencies that were key partners in the project include Department of Transportation and Department of Parks and Recreation. Groups that contributed to the final designs spanned urban designers, landscape architects, maritime experts, and engineers, as well as local businesses, tenant associations, elected officials, state agencies, and civic groups.  

Locate this project on the Interactive Streetwork Map.

All of the posted information, including schedules and completion dates are based on the information provided by the project managers. Read more about the project on LowerManhattan.info here. To visit the Department of City Planning’s comprehensive project website, click here, including its complete Concept Plan. Additional project information from the city Economic Development Corporation is available here.

Summary

In April 2009, the city Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) issued a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) for individuals or companies interested in leasing and operating an enclosed pavilion and optional outdoor space along the East River waterfront in Lower Manhattan.  The Maiden Lane South Pavilion will be located at the intersection of South Street and Maiden Lane directly beneath the elevated FDR Drive and will be the first of several pavilions built as part of the East River Waterfront Esplanade and Piers Project.

Programming suggestions for the pavilion include a food service or recreation facility, but other creative programming concepts that meet the project’s goals will be considered. Individuals and companies may propose to use up to 4,500 square feet of enclosed pavilion space and up to 2,700 square feet of optional outdoor space. NYCEDC will construct the core and shell of the Pavilion which is expected to be ready for tenant occupancy and fit-out by spring 2011.

To view the RFEI, please visit www.nycedc.com/rfp.

Daily Activities

*The following information was last updated October 7, 2009

• The first phase of construction is taking place on the waterfront between Wall Street and Maiden Lane
• Pier 13/14 pile driving is complete; pile caps and decking installation continues through October 30, 2009
• Pier 15 infrastructure under construction July 2009 through August 2010; construction access from water side. Pile driving through mid-Nov. 2009.
• Esplanade work from the Battery Maritime Building to Old Slip through Aug. 2010. Access from water side. Piles complete mid-Oct., followed by concrete installation.
• FDR girder painting (east side only) begins Feb. 2010.
• Contractor Turner Construction is performing marine infrastructure work; Contractor Trocom Construction is reconstructing the esplanade
• Motorcycle parking was removed in May. The lot operator under the Brooklyn Bridge (near South Street and Peck Slip) will accept motorcycles at a rate of $125/month.  The contact for that lot is Amine Babaali at 212-732-2670.
• A reduced, shared bikeway/walkway is in effect at the work site

Contact Info

For more information about this project, contact EDC Senior Project Manager Nicole Dooskin at (212) 312-3716 or via e-mail at ndooskin@nycedc.com.

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