East River Waterfront Conditions Survey Report 6.10.09

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Manhattan Community Board 6

East River Waterfront AccessCommunity Conditions Survey

Stefanie GarryCommunity Planning Fellow, CB6Manhattan Borough Presidents Of ce


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Manhattan Community Board 6East River Waterfront AccessCommunity Conditions Survey

Stefanie GarryCommunity Planning Fellow, CB6

Manhattan Borough Presidents Of ce

May 2009

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Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank a number of individuals and groups for their support, guidance, andfeedback in the writing of this report.

Special thanks goes to Toni Carlina, District Manager of Community Board 6; Lyle Frank, Board Chair;and the Community Board 6 Members. Thanks is also owed to Manhattan Borough President Scott M.Stringer, without whom this fellowship work would not have been possible. The author would also liketo thank Anthony Borelli, Director of Land Use and Planning at the Borough Presidents Of ce, andSharath Vallabhajosyula for helping to coordinate this fellowship work throughout the year.

This report, ndings, and recommendations are dedicated to the residents and visitors of ManhattanCommunity District 6 and the members of Community Board 6. This work is undertaken so that theymay further enjoy the great resources of the East River Waterfront in their home community.

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Table Of Contents

Manhattan Community Board

East River Waterfront AccessCommunity Conditions Survey

Acknowledgements........................................ 3Table of Contents........................................... 4Introduction.................................................. 5

Purpose................................................ 5Methodology.......................................... 6

History and Background.................................. 6Redevelopment of the Con Edison Site.............. 7

Land Use Patterns.................................. 8East River Greenway................................9The Community Boards Vision................10

Zoning Text Amendment.................................10Goals..................................................11Terminology.........................................12Design Requirements.............................13

Major Findings..............................................17Survey Results...............................................19

14-20th Streets....................................1920-23rd Streets....................................2223-28th Streets....................................2528-34th Streets....................................28

34-38th Streets....................................31

Ferry Terminal and Heliport.....................3438-42nd Streets...................................3642-48th Streets....................................3848-54th Streets....................................4054-59th Streets....................................43

Recommendations..........................................46Conclusion....................................................47Appendix A...................................................48!

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MANHATTAN COMMUNITYBOARD 6

EAST RIVER WATERFRONTACCESSCOMMUNITY CONDITIONSSURVEY

INTRODUCTION

Publicly accessible open spaceand outdoor recreation spacein the City of New York is oneof our communitys greatestresources. Serving as space forrecreation, exercise, relaxation, andpreservation of natural resources,the citys parks, waterfronts andnatural preserves are an invaluableasset.

With an estimated 136,000 people

living in Community District 6according to the 2000 Censusgures, the need for publicly

accessible open space is paramount.In a district with the least acreage ofpublic open space in Manhattan, only26.0 acres, the residents of CB6 looktowards the East River Waterfrontas a major community resource andplace for active recreation, quiet

re ection and community use.Currently the districts open spaceamenities are crowded; serving onaverage more than 5,237 residents

per acre.While this overall amount of openspace is small, residents are furtherhindered by a lack of accessibilityto their open space. These publicspaces must be accessible toall residents and maintained toensure their health and safetyare protected. Access for all

community residents is anotherimportant priority for communitymembers. Therefore, compliancewith Americans with Disabilities Actregulations is another priority.

In 1993, the New York CityWaterfront Zoning Regulation wasadopted to guide the development,maintenance and access conditionsof the Citys waterfronts, some ofgreatest natural resources availableto residents and visitors alike.

PURPOSE

This study is undertaken in an effortto better understand and document

Introduction and Methodology

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Community Residents enjoy a sunnyday outside, yet the FDR Driveblocks direct access to the water.

View of the East River from the Sutton PlaceParks.


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the community conditions andaccessibility along the East RiverWaterfront within the boundaries ofManhattans Community District 6.

METHODOLOGY

This waterfront conditions andaccess survey was undertaken bythe Urban Planning Fellow at therequest of the District Managerand Community Board members.Research was conducted fromJanuary through April 2009. The

district was canvassed on foot from14-59th Streets along the EastRiver in order to determine accessconditions.

The district was divided into 9survey areas of approximately 5blocks each to canvass on foot.Please see a breakdown of the studyareas on the map on page 14.

The planning fellow then visitedeach waterfront survey area andevaluated the accessibility andwaterfront conditions according toa pre-developed checklist which isavailable in Appendix A.

Photographs and other written

observations were recorded todocument the conditions of thewaterfront accessibility at variousplaces within the district. These

images and descriptions were thencompiled into this report offeringa snapshot of the East RiverWaterfront Access Conditions withinCommunity District 6.

HISTORY AND BACKGROUNDOF THE MIDTOWN EASTWATERFRONT

For most of the last century,Midtown East has been cut off fromits waterfront and underserved bypublicly accessible open space. Thedistrict is a growing community interms of population with more than2,150 new residential units addedbetween 2000 and Winter 2008.

While population within the districtis growing, community facilitiesand the amount of open spaceunfortunately are not. Thus, puttingfurther stress on the already limitedcommunity amenities. However,there is a growing momentum withinthe Community Board to addressthese issues and improve the quality

Waterfront History

6

Aerial view of the former Con Edison site

from 38-42nd Streets along the East River.

View of the empty Con Edison lot from thepathway along the East River.


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latent potential to become a truecommunity resource and open spacedestination tied into the surroundingneighborhoods and connected to the

East River.The redevelopment of the formerCon Edison Site offers theopportunity to: Connect to the city, and createsafe pedestrian links to First Avenueand along the East River Reach to the river by buildinga public waterfront park over FDR

Drive and link existing riverfrontesplanades to the north and south. Make a memorable placewith a distinct civic identityand with public spacesand activities that attractvisitors as well as nearbyresidents and workers.

New York has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunityto open up access toManhattans Midtown Eastwaterfront. If plannedtogether, these projectscould be designed tocreate new park space,provide access to thewaterfront, and complete a

and accessibility of open spacewithin the Community District.The future of several major projectsincluding the redevelopment of

the former Con Edison site, therebuilding of the FDR Drive, thepotential UN campus expansion,and the proposed creation of SolarTwo represent major opportunitiesfor new growth in the district, andif planned together, these projectscould be designed to create new andinnovative waterfront space alongthe East River.

Redevelopment of the FormerCon Edison Site

Four city blocks, just south of theUnited Nations along the EastRiver, offer a rare opportunity for amajor re-development in MidtownManhattan. The former Con Edisonpower stations were decommissionedin 2001, and the rights to developthe site were secured by East RiverRealty Company (ERRC). ERRC hasproposed 6.3 million square feet ofdevelopment for the site in a mix ofresidential and of ce buildings.The plan for the closed watersideplant now occupying a primesite along the East River has the

Land Use History

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Peter Cooper Village is a unique urban community devel-oped in the post war years.

In the early 19th and 20th centuries the EastRiver waterfront was an active bustling space

for travel, commerce and manufacturing.


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Manhattans East RiverGreenway

Currently, one of the majormissing links in Manhattanswaterfront greenway lies between38th and 63rd Streets adjacent tothe East River.

The missing link begins with theformer Con Edison parking lot,which occupies the area betweenthe FDR Drive and the East Riverfrom 38th to 41st Streets, and

continues between 42nd and 48thStreets where the UN campusoccupies the area between FirstAvenue and the East River. From41st Street to 63th Street, theFDR Drive prohibits access to thewaterfront. The missing link endsat 63rd Street, where the BobbyWagner Walk begins and extendsto 125th Street.

Community Vision

Waterfrontaccess withinthe boundariesof ManhattanCommunityBoard 6representsa signi cantbreak in thecontinuous

East RiverGreenway.

The missinglinks to theGreenway arehighlightedin Red,representinga missedopportunity

for communityresidents toenjoy theresources ofthe East RiverWaterfront.

Map Source: http://www.nyc.gov

Manhattan Greenway Map

Land Use Lots SquareFeet (in1000s)

%

1- 2 FamilyResidential

234 392.0 1.5

Multi-FamilyResidential

1,060 6,257.9 24.5

MixedResidential /Commercial

778 7,640.4 29.9

Commercial /

Of ce429 3,747.8 14.7

Industrial 31 118.7 0.5Transportation /Utility

43 1,710.1 6.7

Institutions 211 4,078.5 16.0Open Space /Recreation

29 872.6 3.4

ParkingFacilities

32 226.9 0.9

Vacant Land 62 437.9 1.7Miscellaneous 18 61.5 0.2

Total 2,927 25,544.1 100.0

Total Population CB61980 1990 2000127,556 133,748 136,152

Community Characteristics:Manhattan Community

District 6

Source: NYC Department of City Planning, 2009.

Source: NYC Department of City Planning, 2009.

Source: http://www.nyc.gov

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Community Boardmembers are alsocommitted to thepreservation ofexisting park landand open spacewithin the district.If Robert MosesPlayground locatednear 42nd Street isconverted to build anew building for theUnited Nations as has

been considered, CB6believes the activerecreation spacethat the playgroundcurrently containsmust be replaced.

CITY REGULATIONS AND WATERFRONT ZONING TEXT

Polices written under the Waterfront Zoning Text provisions are guided by

the intent to provide public access to and along New York Citys coastalwaters. The intent is to provide both physical and visual public access in amanner that balances the interests of public and private waterfront use. Allregulations discussed below have been drawn from and can be found in theNew York City Zoning Text Resolution.

These zoning regulations establish public access requirements for most newresidential and commercial development including: Standards for the size and con guration of waterfront public open spaces

THE COMMUNITY BOARDSVISION

Manhattan Community Board Six(CB6) has set the goal of increasingaccess to the East River anddeveloping new open space in thedistrict.

To improve access to the waterfront,CB6 has proposed upgrading thearea around the ferry landing at 34th

Street; eliminating waterfront parkinglots at 34th Street and between 38thStreet and 41st Street; and creatingconnections to the waterfront through39th Street and 40th Street. CB6 hasalso suggested studying the feasibilityof redesigning or eliminating thenorthbound exit ramp off the FDRDrive at 42nd Street to allow greateraccess to the waterfront and thepossibility of an additional ferrylanding along the waterfront.

To increase the amount of openspace, CB6 has proposed studying thecreation of park space on the deckabove the FDR Drive between 38thand 42nd Streets.

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Community Vision

Community Board Members were instrumental in the openingand maintenance of Stuyvesant Cove Park near 23rd Streetalong the East River.


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Requirements for visual andphysical connections to the upland; And design guidelines for thetreatment of public spaces.

The regulations provide for adoptionof Waterfront Access Plans to tailorthe requirements to local siteconditions. Although waterfrontzoning regulations do not requirepublic access in connection withindustrial development, this isrecommended and there are oftenappropriate opportunities for physical

or visual access along the workingwaterfront, where there is no risk topublic health and safety.

Goals of the WaterfrontZoning Policy

This policy also presents standardsfor public lands, public facilitiescontiguous to the shoreline andlands under water (public trustlands). These standards are intendedto preserve existing access to theshoreline provided by facilities suchas public parks, beaches, marinas,piers, streets, highways, and existingeasements on privately-owned landand to encourage public access

improvements as acomponent of publicprojects.

Goals of the Zoningare: To preserve, protectand maintain existingphysical, visual andrecreational access tothe waterfront. To protect andmaintain infrastructure,including roadways and

shoreline protectionstructures, whichsupport public accessand recreation facilities. To maintain in good repair existingpublic access areas to ensure publicsafety and enhance enjoyment. To incorporate public access intonew public and private developmentwhere compatible with proposed

land use and coastal location. To encourage the developmentand maintenance of high qualitypublic spaces in appropriatelocations, particularly those thatwould facilitate connection ofexisting waterfront public accessspaces and allow continuous accessalong the shore.

To encourage development ofpublic access in industrially zonedareas where compatible andappropriate. To provide visual access tocoastal lands, waters and openspace where physically practical. To preserve existing visual accessin the development of waterfrontpublic lands and facilities. Minimizereduction of existing visual accesscaused by the scale, design, andlocation of public projects in areassuch as streets, parks, bridges andhighways. Preserve visual corridorsprovided or de ned by mappedstreets (open or improved) that

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Zoning Regulations

Sutton Place parks offer elevated waterview plazas, but do

not allow residents to truly connect with the waterfront atshore level.


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terminate at the shoreline.

Since 1993, the Zoning Resolutionhas included special regulations

for waterfront properties, whichrequire new developments,except for industrial, low-densityresidential and City infrastructure,to build and maintain waterfrontpublic access areas.

These Waterfront Public AccessAreas should be designed to ensurethat waterfront public access areas

are inviting to the public through: Facilitation of high quality designelements Ensuring of uninterruptedwaterfront access that is clearlyopen to the public Promotion of the greening of thewaterfront with a variety of plantmaterials that provide aesthetic

and ecological benets, includingtrees, shrubs, and ground cover;

Facilitation of a wide varietyof amenities, including accessto water, boat launches andanchorages, and play areas Encouragement of a variety oflandscape designs, including edgetreatments Activation of waterfront spaces

by improving connections betweenthe waters edge and the uplandstreets.

Zoning Text Terminology

Waterfront AreaThe waterfront area is thegeographical area comprising allblocks between the pier headlineand a line 800 feet landward fromthe shoreline. Where such lineintersects a block, the entire blockshall be included and the waterfrontarea boundary shall coincide withthe center line of the landwardboundary street or other blockboundary.

All developments on zoning lotswithin waterfront blocks shall besubject to the provisions of Section

62-71. All waterfront public accessareas, shall comply with theprovisions of 62-60, which regulatesthe general design standards andmaintenance obligations for thewaterfront public access areas.Waterfront public access areasas well as developments that arepredominantly docks, those fornon-commercial pleasure boats,

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Striped crosswalks and stoplights provide

waterfront access points at 23rd Street andAvenue C.

Zoning Regulations

The rehabilitation of former piers along theEast River provide opportunities for newdevelopment and space for communityactivities.


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ferries, sightseeing, excursionor sport shing vessels; boatels;or commercial beaches; ordevelopment on piers or platformsare subject to regulation under therequirements of Section 62-48.

Supplemental Public Access Area

A supplemental public accessarea is a waterview plaza,waterview park, waterview sittingarea or residual public access areaprovided on a waterfront zoning

lot, in addition to other requiredpublic access areas, in order toful ll the waterfront public accessrequirements.

Upland connection

An upland connection is apedestrian way, which provides apublic access route from a shorepublic walkway or a supplemental

public access area to a publicsidewalk within an open andaccessible public street, Public Parkor other accessible public place.

Design Requirements

The requirements shall applyto shore public walkways, andsupplemental public access areas.

Circulation and accessAll waterfront public access areasshall be accessible from an openpublic street, public park or otherpublic place at intervals alongthe shore public walkway not toexceed 600 feet by means of either

a direct connection or, where nodirect connection exists, an uplandconnection between the publicaccess area and an adjoining publicsidewalk within an open publicstreet, public park or public place.

A shore public walkway shall providea circulation path with a minimumclear width of 12 feet. Such path

shall be located within 10 feet of theshoreline for at least 20 percent ofits length. Secondary paths, whenprovided, shall be at least 6 feetwide.

Accessibility for persons withDisabilitiesWaterfront public access areas

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Design Requirements

Waterfront access gates at Peter DetmoldPark, 51st Street.

Single bench seating at Stuyvesant CovePark.

Handicap accessible ramps provide ADAcompliant access at the Sutton Place Parks.


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of operation. Lettering at least one-half inchstating: Do not enter outside ofhours of operation

The International Symbolof Access for the PhysicallyHandicapped, at least three inchessquare, or the statement Thispublic access area is accessible tothe physically handicapped Address of the property wherethe waterfront public access areais located.

Screening bufferA screening buffer shall be

provided within the shore publicwalkway or supplemental publicaccess area, running along theentire upland boundary of sucharea where it abuts non-publiclyaccessible areas of the zoning lot.Not less than 50 percent of such

facade area shall be glazed withtransparent materials and up to20 percent of such facade areamay be glazed with translucentmaterials.

Trash receptaclesOne trash receptacle shall beprovided for every 4,000 squarefeet of shore public walkway and

supplemental public access area,located in visible and convenientlocations. Trash receptacles shallbe placed within 50 feet of a

seating area. They must have aminimum capacity of 25 gallonsand have either top openings thatmeasure at least 12 inches wideor side openings that measureat least nine inches high. Trashreceptacles shall be able to tstandard bags used to collecttrash.

SeatingOne linear foot of seating shall beprovided for every 75 SF of shorepublic walkway and supplementalpublic access area.

PlantingsAn area equal to at least 50percent of the area of the shore

public walkway and supplementalpublic access area shall beplanted.

Trees and additional plantingsA minimum of one canopy treeshall be provided for every2,000 square feet of shore publicwalkway and supplemental publicaccess area. In no event may

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Design Requirements

Wooden and wrought iron benches along thewaterfront provide spots for relaxation.

Trash cans and appropriate lighting areamong the required amenities to be placedalong the waterfront according to the ZoningText Resolution.


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a shore public walkway have anamount equivalent to less thantwo canopy trees for every 100feet of shoreline. In addition

to the trees required, or every1,250 square feet of shore publicwalkway or supplemental publicaccess area, one of the followingmust be provided: a canopy tree,an ornamental tree or a multi-stemmed equivalent, 60 square feetof planting beds, or 110 square feetof accessible lawn.

Bicycle parkingBicycle racks suf cient to provideat least four bicycle parkingspaces shall be provided withina waterfront public access area.Bicycle racks shall be adjacent to acirculation path and at least 20 feetfrom the shoreline.

Additional Special Requirementsfor Public Access on Piers

Access and CirculationAll developments on zoning lotscontaining piers shall provide publicaccess. Pier public access areasshall be directly accessible from

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Design Requirements

Stuyvesant Cove Park provides a varietyof seating arrangement for residents and

visitors to enjoy the waterfront vistas.

Native species plants provide shade forwaterfront patrons and natural habitatsfor wildlife along the East River.

a waterfront public access area,public sidewalk within an openpublic street, public park or otheraccessible public place. At least one

circulation path having a minimumclear width of ten feet shall beprovided throughout the publicaccess area required on the pier.

SeatingAt least one linear foot of seating isrequired for every 100 square feetof pier public access area.


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Major Findings and Violations from theSurvey Results:

The following observations and violations arecharacteristic of the East River Waterfront as awhole. Overall the conditions and quality of theaccess points and the available amenities alongthe East River need to be upgraded and amendedto improve the quality of life for residents andcommunity visitors alike.

CURRENT CONDITIONS OF THE EAST RIVERWATERFRONT AS DETERMINED THROUGHSITE OBSERVATIONS

Particular attention has been paid to note theconditions as evaluated by the following criteria: Con guration and dimensions of uplandconnections Grade changes at the vehicular pedestriantransition areas Circulation and access

Lighting Plantings and trees Obstructions Barriers (guardrails, fences, gates and bollards) Seating Signage Paving Amenities Equipment

Major Findings

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A full blank copy of the survey tool used to evaluatethe conditions on the East River Waterfront can befound in Appendix A.

In the following section, violations, communityconditions, and accessibility will be evaluated foreach survey area in particular. However, on thewhole the following major ndings and violationsare characteristic of the conditions along the EastRiver Waterfront in Manhattan Community District 6.

Waterfront Access Along the East River is

Inadequate for Community Residents Needs: Many residents are unaware of how toappropriately enter the waterfront from main citystreets; Additionally the waterfront from 38-48th is entirelycut off from community access; Many areas have only one or a very limited numberof street level access points.

The Vast Resource of the East River is Underutilized: The number of patrons observed along thewaterfront is low; Community Events along the waterfront arelimited; Opportunities for diverse types of recreation arelimited; There are few opportunities for active recreation.


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Major Findings

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Signage Indicating Waterfront Access isInadequate: Of cial signage is not used; Proper parties responsible for maintenance are not

always identi ed; Accessible paths from main streets including 1stAvenue are not always identi ed.Handicap Accessibility to the Waterfront Needsto Be Improved: Many access points, especially those through PeterDetmold Park are not ADA compliant; Crosswalks, stairways and paving conditions needto be amended to meet ADA needs; Busy streets, crosswalks and intersections makeaccess points along the waterfront hazardous for theelderly and youth in particular.

Diverse Opportunities and Uses Need to BeCreated Along the Waterfront: The current waterfront areas provide for passiverecreational activities; Active recreational spaces for residents and visitors

of all ages need to be created and maintained toappeal to all community members; Permitted amenities including comfort stations,water fountains, kiosks, cafes and other forms ofdiverse waterfront use are not readily utilized; Public art instillations are very minimal along thewaterfront.

Residents access to the East River Waterfront is cutoffby the FDR East River Drive at many locations along thewaterfront.

Portions of the Waterfront from 38-48th Street are

entirely inaccessible by residents and communityvisitors.


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14-20th Streets

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EAST RIVER WATERFRONT CONDITIONS:14-20TH STREETS

Waterfront Access and conditions from 14-20th Street

Along the East River Waterfront are not uniformlyaccessible and pose challenges for some communitymembers to access their use.

Direct Street Access to the waterfront is not availableat many upland connections as access is blocked by theFDR East River Drive. Direct street level access is verylimited in this study area:At the14th Street Con Edison site there is no access atAvenue C;At 15th Street, the Con Edison facility provides for noaccess at Avenue C;At 16th Street, the Con Edison facility provides for no

The currently operational 14th Street Con Edison PowerPlant blocks access from Avenue C along the East River.

access at Avenue C;At 17th Street there is no access at Avenue C near theMitchell Brothers Playground.

Waterfront access at the street level is available at18th Street under the FDR Drive. There is a crosswalk


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14-20th Streets

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safely.

Raise the height of the Guardrailalong the FDR. The low hangingguardrail between the pathway andthe FDR could be raised to improvepedestrian and bikers sense ofsecurity and safety.

Plant larger shade bearing trees atstrategic sites along the waterfront toincrease the amount of shaded space,as there is currently limited shadeavailable in this study area.

Place call boxes or emergency accesstelephones along the waterfront.

Install of cial waterfront signageindicating hours of operation,responsible agencies, and emergencycontact information.

Create more active recreational

activities and areas along thewaterfront. The installation of tnessequipment, horse shoe pits or otheractivities would diversify the offeringalong the waterfront.

Open the currently closed Con Edisionstorage site at 15th to active use.

at 18th street with a stop signand lighted walk sign. This accesspoint puts you onto the East RiverGreenway that connects down toeast River Park at the base of 14thstreet. Access is limited by carscoming off the ramp at the FDRdrive. Cars move at a high speedand make pedestrian crossingchallenging, even at designatedcrosswalks and areas.

A small strip of waterfront accessruns between the FDR Drive from the

access at 18th street down to 14thand the beginning of East River park.

The pathway between 20th to 14hstreets is rather narrow. Bicycles andpedestrians must share the samespace. When the pathway narrowsat 16th street, this makes sharingthe road very dif cult.RECOMMENDATIONS:Pathways: use a separate pavingcolor or striping for bike lanes,especially where the pathwaynarrows between 14th and 16thStreets.Widen the pathway at 16th street to14th Streets to ensure that bikersand pedestrians can share the path

East River Waterfront view at 18th Street.

Benches, plantings and trash receptaclesalong the waterfront pathway.

Con Edison storage materials block directwaterfront access at 15th Street.


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EAST RIVER WATERFRONT:SITE SURVEY AND MONITORINGINSPECTION REPORT

DATE AND TIME OF SURVEY: April16th; 3:30pm

AREA SURVEYED:EAST RIVER Waterfront From 14thStreet to 20th Street

TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT:Waterfront esplanade with combinedwalking and bike path

PERMANENT STRUCTURES: NoneACCESS: CONDITION,DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTSX 24 HOURS; no signage indicatorslimiting access or hours

RESTRICTED HOURS NonePOSTED HOURS NoneCLOSED FOR EVENTS None

ACCESS DETAILS:CONDITION,DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS

GATED ENTRANCE NoneGATED WITH LOCKS None

X FULLY ACCESSIBLE Fullyaccessible at all hours at street level;entrance only at 18th Street and Ave.C and FDR Drive

GATED PERIMETER NoneX POSTED SIGNAGE East RiverGreenway bike path connection

EASE OF ACCESS: CONDITION,DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTSX ROAD CONDITIONS Busy crosssection and exit ramp of FDR; heavy

and higher speed trafc owX CROSSWALK Striped painted on the

groundX TRAFFIC LIGHT With pedestrian walklight signal

STOP SIGN NoneX OTHER Do not enter and yieldsigns posted for FDR access roadX HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE Access at18th street is ADA compliant

REQUIRED AMENITIES:CONDITION, DESCRIPTION ANDCOMMENTS

NONEARTWORK NoneBICYCLE RACKS NoneDRINKING FOUNTAIN None

X COMFORT STATION Portable toiletat 18th streetX SEATING Yes, ample good qualityX BENCHES 43 wooden and ironbenchesX TABLES 2 tables with stationarychairsX SHADE Minimal shade provided bysmall trees near some benchesX LIGHTING 9 wrought iron streetlampsX TRASH RECEPTACLESNumber and Location: 26 receptacles;

well spaced along walkwayX PLANTINGS well maintained, smallground coverX TREES small decorative trees

VIEWING STATIONS noneX SIGNAGE Indicates link in EastRiver GreenwayX PATHWAY Good condition, smoothgrey and red brick; pathway between14-16th streets is extremely narrowfor 2 way traf c-less than 4 ft. wide atsome points

WATER FEATURE noneRETAIL none

ACCESS TO FERRY TERMINAL n/aACCESS TO HELIPAD n/aOTHER n/a

PERMITTED AMENITIES:CONDITION, DESCRIPTION ANDCOMMENTS

FOOD SERVICE noneKIOSK noneOPEN AIR Caf noneOTHER nonePIERS n/aBULKHEADS n/a

VIOLATIONS OBSERVED:

ACCESS:AMENITIES:

X CONDITIONS: Signage isinadequate, no hours or responsibleparties posted

14-20th Streets

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20-23rd Streets

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EAST RIVER WATERFRONT SURVEY:20-23RD STREETS

Stuyvesant Cove Park, which occupies the majority

of the East River Waterfront space between 20thand 23rd Streets is an example of some of the bestwaterfront access in Community District 6. Followingthe hard work of Community Board members in thecreation of Stuyvesant Cove park, this stretch of theEast River Waterfront represents one of the mostpopular, well maintained, and pleasant areas of theDistrict.

The entrance point for waterfront access at 20thstreet is under the FDR drive at Avenue C. This is

Tables, chairs, benches and gazebos provide pleasant spacesfor relaxation and socializing in Stuyvesant Cove Park at 23rdStreet along the East River.

one of the best accessible areas of the waterfront.Stuyvesant Cove Park is one of the most popular areasof waterfront access in the district.

The variety of community amenities including gazebos,chairs, tables, chess boards, and individual seatingprovides for a multi-use space used by a variety of


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20-23rd Streets

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community members and residents.

Solar one is located at thewaterfront plaza at 23rd Street.

This privately owned eco-laboratory provides educationactivities, community outreachand environmental awarenesscampaigns. The Solar One structureis currently a self-suf cient buildingpowered by the photovoltaic cellsthat line the rooftop of the structure.The outdoor patio at Solar Oneand oor mural area are importantcommunity activity areas along thewaterfront.

The proposed expansion andconstruction of Solar Two will createnew community resources alongthe waterfront, however this designand construction process must beundertaken in ongoing dialogue and

coordination with the members ofManhattan Community Board 6.

RECOMMENDATIONS:Install a stop light at the FDRservice road. High speed traf c at23rd Street and Avenue C alongthe FDR service road is a challenge.While a pedestrian cross walk with

Solar One, an environmental education

organization is located in Stuyvesant CovePark.

A separated two-way bike path providesrecreational areas for residents and visitors.

A variety of plantings and trees provideshaded relaxation space along the waterfront.

lighted sign is installed, furtherreducing the speed of traf c wouldhelp to ensure that all communitypatrons, especially the elderly are

able to access the waterfront safely.

Update community informationbillboards. Information on thetwo boards are outdated. Expandthe capacity of these importantcommunity information posts andinclude more active events.

Repair the back patio at Solar one:The wooden patio is becomingweathered and the wooden plantersalong the patio are in need ofreplacement.

Install the of cial NYC WaterfrontSigns to indicate hours of use andaccess, responsible parties, andemergency contact information.

Repaint the oor mural at 23rdstreet to revitalize the communityartwork in the study area. Increasethe amount of public art along thewaterfront.


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23-28th Streets

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Waterside Plaza provides privately owned public access to thewaterfront at limited hours for the community.!

WATERFRONT ACCESS CONDITIONS: 23-28TH STREETS

The East River Waterfront from 23-28th Streets

is accessible mainly through the privately ownedWaterside Plaza space. Waterside Plaza is a privatelyowned residential community, comprised of fourresidential towers and a variety of supplemental retailand services.

Occupying a signi cant portion of the waterfrontbetween 23rd and 28th Streets, the publicly

accessible waterside and waterview plazas within thecomplex are a well maintained and pleasing communityamenity. Waterside Plaza is located East of the FDR

Highway, on the East River between 25th and 29thStreets. It is north of the Gulf gas station, the Marina


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23-28th Streets

26 Benches and umbrellas at Waterside Plazaprovide comfortable space for relaxation.

Access to the East River at Waterside Plazais restricted to pedestrians and only duringposted hours.

Playground equipment at Waterside Plazaprovides active recreation space for youth inthe district.

and the United Nations InternationalSchool and south of the Water Club.

Waterside Plaza consists of four

high-rise towers, 20 townhousesand retail spaces surrounding acentral plaza. Visitors to WatersidePlaza can access the apartmenttowers and stores on the Plaza,three stories above Street Level. Apedestrian ramp on the South end ofthe complex and an escalator to thenorth are the best ways to accessthe Plaza Level.

The pedestrian entrance toWaterside is via the footbridge whichis on 25th Street over FDR Drive.

The automobile entrance toWaterside is at the 23rd Streetintersection with the FDR Drive.The M-16 bus departs from the

southerly and northerly end of theWaterside complex at designatedbus stops.

One of the most appealing aspect ofWaterside Plazas publicly accessiblewaterfront space is the childrensplayground area. The East RiverWaterfront within Community

District 6 lacks many opportunities foractive recreation and organized play.This site provides opportunities forsmall children to actively enjoy thewaterfront in their community.

RECOMMENDATIONS:Provide more green and permeablesurfaces along the waterfront.While the pathways and plaza arewell maintained, they are mainlyhard surfaces. Accessible areas ofgrass would improve the drainage

conditions along the plaza anddiversify the waterfront experience

Improve lighting along the waterlevel pathway. While there are goodamenities for sitting and strolling atthe water level, the lighting situationis in need of improvement. Additionallights along the building or standinglampposts along the guardrail at the

water would improve the feeling ofsafety at Waterside Plaza and makefor more active use into the lateafternoon hours.

Install of cial waterfront signs at theplaza level indicating hours of publicaccess and when the waterfront isclosed for events.


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28-34th Streets

28

Parking occupies prime waterfront space along the East RiverWatefront.

EAST RIVER WATERFRONT CONDITIONSFROM 28-34TH STREETS

The NYU facilities parking lot along the river occupies a

prime area for waterfront use and active recreation.

The Water Club, a private dining establishment isdocked along the waterfront at 28th Streets. While thisrestaurant and dining club is a community landmark itrepresents a private use of important waterfront space.

The pathway between the Water Club and the 34thStreet Ferry Terminal and Heliport is a smooth paved

surface. Wooden benches that are built into plantersprovide seating and also a buffer from the parking andstreet activities.

Currently the East River bike path does not run alongthis section of the waterfront and cyclists must bedirected onto city streets.


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28-34th Streets

29

A limited waterfront path runs from 28th to34th Streets.

The Water Club provides a private amenity tothe community along the waterfront.

An NYU parking lot occupies prime waterfrontarea between 28th and 34th Streets.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Convert the Parking lot along the EastRiver to publicly accessible waterfront

open space. This area could becomea community destination if use wereconverted from a hard paved surfaceparking lot to a soft surface or grasscovered area. Opening this currentlyunder utilized space could add muchneeded waterfront acreage that couldbe adapted to a variety of seasonalactive and passive uses.

Widen the pathway along thewaterfront. Currently the East RiverGreenway bike path is not accessibledirectly along the water at this point.Widening the pathway could create anopportunity for a separate bike lanealong the waterfront.

Install more affordable retail and

dining options along the waterfront.The Water Club stands as animportant community destination,however a variety of retail and diningoptions would ensure that affordableoptions are available to residents andvisitors of all income levels.

The placement of a Kiosk ortemporary retail establishment could

provide a needed service to patronsalong the waterfront.

The installation of a water fountain or

comfort station would also provide aneeded service to waterfront users.

Install of cial NYC waterfront signageindicating hours of operation, andresponsible parties in the area.

At the Ferry Dock, there should bea permanent covered structure toshelter patrons who are waiting for

the Ferry. A small comfort station orportable toilet should be installed toaccommodate waiting passengers.

The ADA compliance of the FerryDock should be con rmed. And ifnecessary additions and renovationsshould be made to ensure that theDock is brought up to compliance.


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34-38th Streets

31

Glick Park provides beautifully landscaped waterfront access forresidents in Community District 6.

EAST RIVER WATERFRONT ACCESSCONDITIONS: 34TH TO 38TH STREETS

The pathway along the East River leading to Glick Park(also known as the East River Esplanade) is anotherexcellent site along the waterfront and provides a muchneeded community amenity.

Access to the Ferry Terminal is very close and patrons arealso able to access the East River Heliport easily along thewaterfront pathway.

The pathway leading from the Ferry terminal runsunderneath and along the FDR Drive and service roaduntil reaching the entrance to Glick Park at 37th street.

Access directly from 37th street into the park has beenblocked and the underpass is closed by locked gates.


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34-38th Streets

32

The ferry landing at 34th Street provides fastferry access to Queens, Brooklyn, and LowerManhattan.

Access to Glick Park at the 37th Streetunderpass is baracaded closed.

Exercise stations provide active recreationopportunities along the East River.

The amenities at Glick park are verynice and well maintained. A varietyof metal and marble benches provide

seating and space for relaxation. Thepark is well landscaped and ampleshade is provided in the park.

The park also is home to some of theonly active recreation areas along thewaterfront. The small exercise stationinside the park is a great example ofwhat could be added to other areasalong the waterfront.

This section of waterfront access alsohas excellent access to the East RiverFerry terminal and the East RiverHeliport. Connection to the rest ofthe city via MTA Bus is also availableat the 34th Street station.

The Con Edision parking lot begins

at 38th street and thus indicates thestart of the inaccessible portion ofthe East River Waterfront within theboundaries of Community District 6.

RECOMMENDATIONS:Open the access gates at 37th streetunder the FDR to allow for directstreet level access to the Park andwaterfront area.

Install of cial NYC waterfrontsignage indicating a waterfrontaccess location and hours and rules

of access.

Install a water fountain or comfortstation in the park or along thepathway to provide a neededamenity to the area.

Increase areas for active recreationin the park by converting some ofthe hard surfaces in the park areato soft permeable surfaces includinggrass.

Expanding the walkway at thewaterfront edge could also allow forthe continuation of the East RiverGreenway and bike path throughthis study area.

Ensure the compliance of the FerryTerminal with ADA regulations.This may require further evaluationand depending on the outcome ofthese studies, further action andconstruction may be necessary tobring this up to code.


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34

34TH STREETHELIPORT AND FERRY TERMINAL

34th street along the East River represents and

important link in the citys transportation network.Both the East River Ferry Terminal and the 34th StreetHeliport occupy important waterfront space in theCommunity District. While these areas are certainlynecessary and important community amenities, theuse of the waterfront by the public is limited in theseareas.

In addition several amenities and upgrading activitiesshould be carried out along the Ferry Terminal and

Heliport sites to ensure the safety and comfort of areapatrons.

The 34th Street Heliport provides services to LowerManhattan, and area airports.

Patrons waiting for the East River Ferry and theHeliport must wait outside along the waterfront path.

The East River Ferry approaches the 34th Street FerryTerminal.


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35

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE HELIPORTAND FERRY TERMINAL SITES:

Build a permanent structure for the Ferry Terminal.As of now passengers are not protected from theelements while they wait for the East River Ferry. Asof now, passengers have no protection from the rain,snow or cold weather. A covered permanent structurewould improve the aesthetics of the ferry terminal andcould serve to increase ridership.

The construction of a permanent structure could alsoallow for a comfort station, small food service facilityand retail center to be created along the waterfront.Creating a more diverse mix of uses along thewaterfront at the Ferry Terminal could lead to moreactive and animated waterfront space at differenttimes during the day.

Increase lighting of the Heliport under the FDR Drive.As development currently stands the lighting nearthe Heliport is rather low. Installation of additional

lamp posts along the pathway or on the permanentstructures of the Heliport would improve this areasigni cantly.

In addition to the East River Ferry Service, privatefast ferry service to New Jersey also docks at the EastRiver Ferry Terminal. Access to a Queens restaurant isalso provided via ferry service.

Ferry service is provided to many points in lower

manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens. Access hours forthe ferry and a schedule of routes are also posted.


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36

38-42nd Streets

EAST RIVER WATERFRONT ACCESSCONDITIONS: 38-42ND STREETS

NO access along the East River is available at38th to 42nd Streets. The Con Edison Parking Lotand loading pier begins at 38th Street the edgeof Glick Park, and blocks all pedestrian accesspoints to the waterfront.

This also begins the missing link of the EastRiver Greenway along the waterfront. Herepedestrians and bikers must transition onto

First venue to continue the journey along theGreenway.

RECOMMENDATIONS:Maintain active involvement and monitoring bythe Board Members of the development at theformer Con Edision Site.

Promote active use of the surrounding waterfront

access points within the District.Board Members should work together with areaelected of cials to continue to emphasize theimportance of waterfront access and open spacefor area residents and visitors.


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38-42nd StreetsEAST RIVER WATERFRONT:SITE SURVEY AND MONITORINGINSPECTION REPORT

DATE/TIME OF INSPECTION: April19th; 5pm

AREA SURVEYED:EAST RIVER Waterfront From 38thStreet to 42nd Street

Extra Information: The Con Edisonformer parking lot begins at 38thStreet along the East River blockingall potential pedestrian access pointsto the waterfront. The survey area iscompletely inaccessible.

TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT: PavedParking lot; gated perimeterPERMANENT STRUCTURES: FormerLoading Pier

ACCESS: CONDITION,

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS24 HOURSX RESTRICTED HOURS Completelyclosed

POSTED HOURS No SignageCLOSED FOR EVENTS


GATED ENTRANCEX GATED WITH LOCKS Waterfrontaccess is gated off with a chain linkfence and locked

FULLY ACCESSIBLEX GATED PERIMETER Chain-linkfence encircling the pier/ parking lot

POSTED SIGNAGEEASE OF ACCESS: CONDITION,DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS

ROAD CONDITIONS NoneCROSSWALK NoneSTOPLIGHT None

STOP SIGN NoneOTHER NoneHANDICAP ACCESSIBLE No access

for any patronsREQUIRED AMENITIES:CONDITION, DESCRIPTION AND

COMMENTS

NONEARTWORK None

BICYCLE RACKS NoneDRINKING FOUNTAIN NoneCOMFORT STATION NoneSEATING NoneBENCHES NoneTABLES NoneSHADE NoneLIGHTING NoneTRASH RECEPTACLES

Number and Location: NonePLANTINGS NoneTREES NoneVIEWING STATIONS None

SIGNAGE NonePATHWAYMaterial, Paving Condition: None

WATER FEATURE NoneRETAIL NoneACCESS TO FERRY TERMINAL n/aACCESS TO HELIPAD n/aOTHER None

PERMITTED AMENITIES:

CONDITION, DESCRIPTION ANDCOMMENTS

FOOD SERVICE NoneKIOSK NoneOPEN AIR Caf NoneOTHER None

X PIERS Con Edison Pier, looks to bevery unstable.

BULKHEADS n/aVIOLATIONS OBSERVED:X ACCESS: No waterfront accessallowed at all; No signs indicatingaccess restrictionX AMENITIES: No Amenities providedX CONDITIONS: The Con Edisonpier appears to be dilapidated andunsound


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42-48th Streets

"#

EAST RIVER WATERFRONT ACCESSSURVEY: 42ND TO 48TH STREETS

No Waterfront Access Points are available along the East

River in this study area. The waterfront from 42 to 48thStreet is not Accessible at all to the public. Access isblocked mainly by the presence and security regulationsgoverning the United Nations Campus.

This area again represents a continuation of thesigni cant break in the Manhattan Greenway.RECOMMENDATIONS:

If the proposed expansion and renovation of the UnitedNations campus goes through in the future, reservedland should be designated as waterfront park or openplaza space.

Direct waterfront access from 42nd to 48th Streetsis completely cut-off by the FDR East River Drive.

Creative design techniques including the constructionof a plaza over the FDR Drive could create acres ofnew waterfront land in the District and would create

a destination space along the East River Waterfrontthat could increase the use and pro le of the areasamenities.


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42-48th StreetsEAST RIVER WATERFRONT:SITE SURVEY AND MONITORINGINSPECTION REPORT

DATE/TIME OF INSPECTION:March 31, 2009; 3pm

AREA SURVEYED:EAST RIVER Waterfront From 42ndStreet to 48th Streets

TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT: UnitedNations CampusPERMANENT STRUCTURES:

General Assembly Hall, Support Of ceBuildingsACCESS: CONDITION, DESCRIPTIONAND COMMENTS

24 HOURSX RESTRICTED HOURS No Accessto the waterfront for communitymembers

POSTED HOURS

CLOSED FOR EVENTS


GATED ENTRANCEGATED WITH LOCKSFULLY ACCESSIBLE

X GATED PERIMETER Guardedperimeter

X POSTED SIGNAGE Posted privateaccess; ID holder entrances to thecampus and public entrances to thecampusEASE OF ACCESS: CONDITION,DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS

ROAD CONDITIONS n/aCROSSWALK NoneSTOPLIGHT NoneSTOP SIGN None

X OTHER No access to the public,UN Campus is monitored by guardgates; ID badge needed for CampusAccess

HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE No, notaccessible to anyoneREQUIRED AMENITIES:CONDITION, DESCRIPTION AND

COMMENTS

NONEARTWORK NoneBICYCLE RACKS NoneDRINKING FOUNTAIN None

COMFORT STATION NoneSEATING NoneBENCHES NoneTABLES NoneSHADE NoneLIGHTING NoneTRASH RECEPTACLES

Number and Location: NonePLANTINGS None

TREES NoneVIEWING STATIONSSIGNAGEPATHWAY

Material, Paving Condition: NoneWATER FEATURE NoneRETAIL NoneACCESS TO FERRY TERMINAL

n/aACCESS TO HELIPAD n/aOTHER None

PERMITTED AMENITIES:CONDITION, DESCRIPTION AND

COMMENTSFOOD SERVICE NoneKIOSK NoneOPEN AIR CAF NoneOTHER NonePIERS NoneBULKHEADS None

VIOLATIONS OBSERVED:X ACCESS: Public Waterfront is

completely inaccessible from thestreet

X AMENITIES: No public amenitiesare provided

CONDITIONS: None

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40

48-54 Streets

Heavy Traf c along the FDR Drive impacts the quality of waterfrontspace from 51st to 54th Streets.

EAST RIVER WATERFRONT ACCESS: 48THTO 54TH STREETS

Access to the East River Waterfront between 48th and

54th Streets is limited to entry points through PeterDetmold Park. Largely cutoff by the FDR East RiverDrive, direct waterfront access is via a small pedestrianramp over the heavily traf cked FDR drive.From 51st to 54th Streets a small water-level pathwayprovides direct waterfront access, however, this space is

largely under utilized by the residents and communitymembers alike.

No waterfront access is available at 50th street. A

steep staircase at 51st provides access down to thewaterfront pedestrian bridge and to Peter DetmoldPark.

The waterfront pathway is complete with benches,trash cans and street lamps, but provides little else interms of waterfront amenities.


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No direct waterfront access isavailable through the rst of theSutton Place Parks at 54th Street.The waterfront from the Sutton

Place Parks in this study areadoes provide for a nice view, butthe outdoor area is noisy andwaterfront access for patrons isblocked by the FDR.

This section of the waterfront plazain this study area is in violation ofADA compliance. Access is onlyavailable through a steep staircase

in Peter Detmold Park that is metaland often becomes slippery whenwet.

Overall, access to the 48-54thstreets waterfront are onlyaccessible through the bridge inPeter Detmold Park. View fromSutton Place park is delightful, but

noise and pollution are a nuisance.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Bring park and waterfront accesspoints and upland connectionsup to compliance with ADAregulations.

Post of cial NYC waterfront signageindicating how to access thewaterfront, its hours and amenities.Increase the amount of waterfront

amenities by adding a waterfountain and port-a-sans along thewaterfront. Add a sign indicatingwho is responsible for upkeepand maintenance, need contactinformation on who to call.

Replace and maintain the metalstaircase and walkway over the FDRto ensure that paving is smooth and

that non-slip surfaces are used toprevent accidental slips and falls.

Repair the uneven and crackedpavement along the East RiverWaterfront.

41

48-54 Streets

The pedestrian access bridge over the FDR at51st Street is not handicap accessible.

Gaps in the waterfront railing create unsafeconditions for waterfront patrons.

Direct waterfront access is cut-off by the FDREast River Drive.


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54-59th StreetsEAST RIVER WATERFRONT ACCESS: 54-59TH STREETS

The series of Sutton Place parks, which are very nicelylandscaped waterview plazas along the East Riverrepresent an important community resource for theresidents and visitors of Community District 6.

Despite the fact that direct water level access is notavailable at the Sutton Place parks, the series ofelevated plazas do provide excellent views of the EastRiver, Roosevelt Island and the Queensboro Bridge.

Waterview access is available at 55th Street via elevatedplazas at Sutton place park. Unfortunately, there is nosunshine on the terrace even on a bright day. The 55thterrace is not handicap accessible and uneven pavement

Waterfront access at the Sutton Place Parks is only available atelevated plaza levels.

further discourages active use.

The 56th Street park provides access via an elevatedwaterfront view terrace. A nicely designed ramp allowsfor handicap access and 12 benches provide for avariety of seating options. The placement of two chesstables and benches provides additional opportunities forcommunity interaction.


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Red brick paving for the walkways isaesthetically very nice and createssmooth even surfaces. Despitethe well populated park, there

are little other amenities such aswater fountains or bathrooms tocomplement the park space.

The waterview plaza at 57th Street isthe largest of the Sutton Place Parksand is also handicap accessible. Avariety of landscaping, shade trees,owers, and ground cover provides a

good mix of shaded and sunny

waterview space.

A childrens sand pit providesopportunities for active recreation anduse of the waterfront by all ages.

One of the primary concerns withother areas along the waterfront wassafety and the level of guardrails andbarriers. The Guard rails used in

the Sutton Place Parks are curved toprevent dangerous falls and unsafeconditions.

The 58th street park is handicapaccessible via a street level ramp.However, the park is split into twolevels, and the lower level receiveslittle to no direct sunlight.

44

54-59th Streets

All of the Sutton Place Parks areoperated and maintained by the NYCParks Department and close at 11pm.

At 59th Street there is no waterfrontaccess along the East River.

Overall, the Sutton Place parksprovide well utilized public spaces forcommunity use and enjoyment of theEast River Waterfront.

RECOMMENDATIONS:Install of cial waterfront signageindicating waterfront access hours,rules of operation and responsibleparties.

Provide additional service amenitiesincluding a water fountain, comfortsstation and perhaps even a small foodkiosk.

Install a childrens playground area,

ball eld or programmed space formore active recreation.

Ensure that pavement in the 55thstreet waterview plaza is smooth andin good repair.

Sutton Place Parks provide water view accessalong a series of elevated plazas.

Carefully designed guard rails create safewaterside spaces for patrons of all ages.

Residents and visitors enjoy a sunny springday along the East River waterfront.


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Create Diverse Opportunities andUses Along the Waterfront:

Create opportunities for a variety ofactive and passive recreational usesalong the waterfront; Develop recreational spaces forresidents and visitors of all ages toappeal to all communitymembers; Install new equipment, kiosks, orother spaces that will attract diverseuses.

Build Community Support for theEast River Waterfront Local community residents,business owners and workers shouldengage with the community boardand to support the waterfront; Engage with local elected of cialsto improve waterfront access andawareness of community events.

46

Final RecommendationsFINAL RECOMMENDATIONS

The following major

recommendations provideguidelines and suggestions forimproving the overall quality andaccessibility of the East RiverWaterfront.

Create Awareness of WaterfrontAccess: Distribute Maps or yers to

indicate waterfront access points; Create a web presence forwaterfront events; Place banners and signagedirecting people toward waterfrontaccess points along 1st Avenue.

The Utilize the Vast Resource ofthe East River:

Increase the number of patronsobserved along the waterfront; Increase the number ofCommunity Events along thewaterfront; Create and develop new activerecreation areas along the EastRiver including ball elds, play

grounds and other equipment;Install new comfort stations andother amenities to make long termwaterfront use available;

Create new public art campaignsfor the East River Waterfront to re ectthe diverse history and heritage ofthe Community.

Improve Signage for WaterfrontAccess: Ensure that of cial signs areused with appropriate hours and

regulations posted; Ensure that contact information forresponsible parties is identi ed; Place placards and signs alongmain access roads to direct people tothe waterfront.

Improve Handicap accessibility tothe Waterfront:

Identify and publicize areas of thewaterfront that are explicitly handicapaccessible; Create signage to indicateaccessibility for the handicap; Amend crosswalks, stairways andpaving conditions need to meet ADAcompliance.


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EAST RIVER WATERFRONT:SITE SURVEY AND MONITORINGINSPECTION REPORT

Manhattan Community Board 6

SURVEYOR NAME: _____________DATE/TIME OF INSPECTION:______

AREA SURVEYED:EAST RIVER Waterfront From ____Street to ____Street

Extra Information: _____________BLOCK:LOT:PROPERTY OWNER/AGENCY:TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT:PERMANENT STRUCTURES:

ACCESS:CONDITION, DESCRIPTION AND

COMMENTS24 HOURS ______________RESTRICTED HOURS ______POSTED HOURS __________CLOSED FOR EVENTS ______

ACCESS DETAILS:CONDITION, DESCRIPTION ANDCOMMENTS

GATED ENTRANCE ___________GATED WITH LOCKS _________FULLY ACCESSIBLE __________GATED PERIMETER __________POSTED SIGNAGE ___________

EASE OF ACCESS:CONDITION, DESCRIPTION ANDCOMMENTS

ROAD CONDITIONS __________CROSSWALK _______________STOPLIGHT _______________STOP SIGN _______________OTHER ____________________

HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE ______REQUIRED AMENITIES:CONDITION, DESCRIPTION ANDCOMMENTS

NONE ____________________ARTWORK _______________BICYCLE RACKS ___________DRINKING FOUNTAIN _____COMFORT STATION __________

SEATING _______________BENCHES _______________TABLES ____________________SHADE ____________________LIGHTING _______________TRASH RECEPTACLES

Number and Location: ___________PLANTINGSTREES

VIEWING STATIONSSIGNAGEPATHWAY

Material, Paving Condition: ________WATER FEATURERETAILACCESS TO FERRY TERMINALACCESS TO HELIPADOTHER

PERMITTED AMENITIES:CONDITION, DESCRIPTION ANDCOMMENTS

FOOD SERVICEKIOSKOPEN AIR CafOTHERPIERSBULKHEADS

VIOLATIONS OBSERVED:ACCESS:

AMENITIES:

CONDITIONS:

RECOMMENDATIONS:

48

Appendix A: Blank Survey


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$%&'!()*+,

Manhattan Community Board 6East River Waterfront AccessCommunity Conditions Survey

May 2009

Stefanie GarryCommunity Planning Fellow

Manhattan Borough Presidents Of ceManhattan Community Board 6

Documents

East River Waterfront Conditions Survey Report 6.10.09