East River Esplanade Update

Back in September of 2010, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and Council member Jessica Lappin established an East River Esplanade Taskforce to rehabilitate the East River Esplanade north of 63rd Street.

Progress on the planning phase for the improvement of the East River Esplanade has been moving steadily. Congreswoman Maloney secured at $475,000 earmark for the project. This earmark will be used along with federal funding from the Surface Transportation Program and state funding from the Department of Environmental Conservation, to fund a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the creation of a new esplanade along the East River. The RFP, issued by the New York City Department of Economic Development, solicits proposals for a feasibility study that would cover engineering, design, landscaping and other planning related to the new esplanade.

"This study will help us gain a better understanding of the costs and complications involved in building a new esplanade at this location,” said Congresswoman Maloney.

The Mayor’s Vision 2020 New York City Comprehensive Waterfront Plan specifically calls for the creation of a new waterfront esplanade along the East River from 38th to 60th Streets.