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John Solomon
1963-2010
John Solomon aboard the Big G

The Trustees and staff of the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance mourn the death of John Solomon. 


John was a founding board member

of the MWA. His vision for a harbor

and waterfront that is fun and

engaging and that belongs to the people, especially our children,

inspired us all. 


His service to the MWA as a Trustee was critically important as we launched our organization as a

new not-for-profit. Whether raising dollars as the Chairman of our Development Committee; challenging our communications staff to better get the word on the waterfront out to the public; or building the organization through board development as a member of our Executive Committee, John's enthusiasm, creativity and intelligence shaped the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance. 


His work to focus attention on public safety in case of calamity was selfless, timely and influential. His reports for National Public Radio won him fans around the country.  John was a talented and effective writer and communicator with a big, generous heart. Curious, humble and wry, he was a good listener with great ideas, a man who touched many lives in rich and positive ways.


All of our thoughts and prayers extend to his relatives, his many friends and his family -- his wife, Abby; their children, Rebecca and Sara; his parents, Ann and Dick; and his brother, Jimmy.
 
For personal remembrances from some of John's many friends, please see the In Memory of John Solomon
Facebook page.   
 
 Photo by Ian Douglas/MWA
waterfront conference
The next 10 years will bring stunning change to the waterfronts of New York City and northern New Jersey. Never before have so many opportunities and challenges converged. Now is the time to learn, to plan, to act!

We welcome you to the
2010 Waterfront Conference.


MWA's 2010 Waterfront
Conference will feature:
 

>15 exciting breakout panels covering topics from Ecology & the Economy, to the Future of our Port, and Water Mass Transit.


>Morning AND evening harbor cruises


>And dozens of distinguished speakers including: 


-Mayor Michael Bloomberg (invited)

-Deputy Mayor Robert Steel
-Amanda Burden (NYC Planning)
-Cas Holloway (NYCDEP)
-Seth Pinsky (NYCEDC)
-Col. John Boul� (USACOE)
-Cpt. Linda Fagan (Coast Guard)
-Bob Martin (NJDEP)
-Chris Ward (Port Authority)
-Author Bill McKibben

-and many, many more!


Click here for program details

Go to the conference website for more info

Or register online today!

Make Donation
 
Quick Links
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WaterWire is your platform for getting the word out. All comments, points of view, event notices, and letters to the editor, Alison Simko, are welcome.
 
V2020
WaterWire Department of
Corrections & Clarifications


In our October 29, 2010 edition, WaterWire neglected to give proper credit to an important waterfront development project that was briefly described in an article about planners involving the community.

As Marcha Johnson, Landscape Architect and Ecological Restorationist for the NYC Dept. of Parks & Recreation, noted, MWA set up the opportunity to marry a brainstorming component to two capital projects associated with Harlem River Park and "Design the Edge," but the lead agencies responsible for much of the research, funding, design, writing, approvals, construction and coordination -- NYC Parks and NYC Economic Development Corporation -- were not mentioned. Nor was the NYS Dept. of State, which issued the grant to NYC Parks. "That modest state funding," Ms. Johnson wrote, "was the critical catalyst without which Harlem River Park 's Phase 2 and 3 edges would likely have been a continuation of Phase 1: steel sheeting with a classic esplanade and searail."
EventsEvents on the Waterfront
Click on the links for more
information about these events.
A detailed calendar of events
may be found at www.waterfrontalliance.org/calendar

November 12
Open House: Gateway National Recreation Area
12p-6p, Kingsborough Community College, 2001 Oriental Blvd., Brooklyn
Festival: EarthFest
1p, Red Hook
 
November 13
Open House: Gateway National Recreation Area
12p-5p, Oakwood Heights Community Church, 345 Guyon Ave., Staten Is.
Clean-Up: Fort Wadsworth Beach
10a, spons. by the Staten Island Museum
Tour: Castle Williams, Governors Island
11a, 1p, 3p, leave from the Battery Maritime Building
Tour: Renaissance in Newtown Creek
11a, spons. by the Municipal Arts Soc.
Presentation: Audubon Society president on Gulf Oil Spill
7p, Beczak Environmental Education Center, Yonkers
 
November 14
Market: New Amsterdam Market
10a, South Street
 
November 16
Open House: Gateway National Recreation Area
2p-8p, Monmouth Beach Cultural Center, 128 Ocean Ave., New Jersey
 
November 17
Open House: Gateway National Recreation Area
2p-8p, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge Visitor Ctr., Cross Bay Blvd., Queens
Panel: Transit-Oriented Development
8:30a, Brooklyn Public Library
 
November 18
Open House: Gateway National Recreation Area
2p-8p, Fort Wadsworth Visitor Center, 210 New York Avenue, Staten Island
Presentation: Vision 2020
1:15p, NYMTC Office, 199 Water St.
Cocktail Party: NY League of Conservation Voters
6p, Racquet & Tennis Club, 370 Park Ave.
Meeting: Green Shores NYC
6:30p, Greater Astoria Hist. Society
Presentation: Reid Stowe
7:30p, Singles Under Sail, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Greenwich, CT
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MWA'S ADDRESS
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New York, NY 10038

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Our waterwire.net addresses are no longer in service. All MWA emails end in waterfrontalliance.org.

For tidal information
at your specific waterfront, visit www.saltwatertides.com and
the
Urban Ocean Observatory

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TOCCONTENTS: November 11, 2010
City Council Wants Port of NY/NJ to Emulate Port of Los Angeles
Rep. Nadler's Clean Ports Act continues to gather support
 
Oyster Restoration Research Project Splashes Up to the Bronx
50,000 more oysters placed on a reef off Soundview Park
 
Last Chance to Comment on the Draft Vision 2020
Then take advantage of a special Vision 2020 presentation at NYMTC
 
Pier 25 Reopens
Tribecans get their new improved pier back
 
Port Authority Funds a Waterfront Park on Staten Island's North Shore
At the former Blissenbach Marina in West Brighton, a meadow will grow
 
Next Step in Reactivating Sunset Park's Industrial Waterfront is Taken
EDC issues RFP for Bush Terminal
 
Hudson River Food Corridor Initiative Picks Up Fans at Union Square
In development, the project will save fuel, reduce pollution and support farms
 
Meet Some MWA Partners!
portsNATIONAL GREEN PORTS LEGISLATION GETS PUSH FROM NYC
City Council Wants NY to Emulate LA's Clean Truck Program
Come January 1, 2011, the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey will ban trucks built before 1994 from serving the region's ports, in an effort to reduce air pollution caused by old diesel engines. Critics say that the 636 old trucks -- less than 10% of the port truck fleet -- that may be replaced by newer trucks with reduced emissions are not nearly enough. Moreover, critics say the financial burden for replacing the trucks should be borne by shipping and trucking companies, not truck drivers and tax payers. Many truckers earn so little that they will not be able to qualify for the PA's loans.

trucks

Fred Potter, Vice President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and Director of the Teamster's Port Division, testified on the matter on October 28 at a NYC Council Waterfronts Committee hearing. "I've been to ports all over the country," he said. "I've learned that we have to replace the old dirty rigs with new clean trucks. Who should bear the cost? The trucking companies. The trucking industry's opposition is just because they don't want to foot the bill."


Many look to Los Angeles, where a Clean Trucks program introduced in 2008 has been successful environmentally and commercially. There, the financial burden of upgrading trucks was placed on companies, not individual truckers. In response, the American Trucking Association filed a lawsuit, charging that the Port of Los Angeles did not have the power to regulate the industry in this way. This past August, however, a judge ruled in favor of the Port, clearing the way for the Clean Trucks program to continue in LA and for similar versions of the program to get underway at ports around the country.

A federal focus on reduced-emissions trucking at the country's ports is being taken up in legislation proposed by New York Congressman Jerrold Nadler. His Clean Ports Act would empower the country's ports to implement environmental solutions for truck pollution and would pave the way for the Port Authority to broaden its current Regional Truck Replacement Program. Clean Ports Act supporters hope to have a Senate version of the legislation soon.

At a City Hall press conference and City Council hearing on October 28, representatives of environmental, labor, business, community and consumer advocacy organizations joined the Teamsters' Fred Potter to urge the Port Authority locally and Congress nationally to implement wider-ranging environmental programs at ports.
Clean Ports press conference
Matthew Yates, director of commercial operations for American Stevedoring Inc., spoke in support of national legislation that would require a
Clean Truck Program at ports. Photo by Becky Schneider/MWA
Amy Goldsmith, Chair of the Coalition for Healthy Ports and Executive Director of the New Jersey Environmental Federation, said, "Now is the right time for the Port Authority to take a more aggressive and comprehensive approach to fixing the port trucking system on which virtually all goods movement in the region depends... We call on the Port Authority to enact programs like LA that result in good jobs, clean air and a healthy and competitive port economy."

Council Member Brad Lander, who represents part of Brooklyn's waterfront, questioned those who testified at the Council hearing. He referred to Phoenix Beverages, a company based at the Red Hook waterfront that has a date-certain plan for all trucks to switch to reduced-emissions engines. "This is the model for the Port writ small," he told David Bragdon, Director of the Mayor's Office of Long-Term Planning & Sustainability, and asked why this example could not be duplicated at the major port terminals of NY/NJ.

"It's clear cut with Phoenix due to a single contract with a single company," Mr. Bragdon answered, explaining that such a contract could not be imposed on a terminal because multiple companies use the terminal.


"The key," said Andrew Genn, NYC Economic Development Vice President, who was sitting next to Mr. Bragdon, "is having these aspirations embodied in lease agreements and making them enforceable."


Mr. Lander took the opportunity to ask for Mr. Bragdon's support in wrangling "every partner to the table" to make electrical shore power a reality at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. This energy option would allow idling ships to turn off their engines.


"We are continuing to push on that," Mr. Bragdon assured him. 


The Port Authority did not respond to WaterWire's query about the agency's view of Rep. Nadler's Clean Ports Act. Written testimony provided to the Waterfronts Committee and WaterWire from the Port Authority did note, however, that the agency's Truck Replacement Program was "a first step," and also that this past August, the PA's Board of Commissioners authorized the investment of $15 million for the installation of shore power capability at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. (back to top)

 oyster"OH, OYSTERS COME AND LIVE WITH US!" *
Ambitious Oyster Renewal Project
Sets Out Six Experimental Reefs

Dressed in big rubber-coated overalls and carrying buckets of spat (baby oysters), students and scientists waded into the shallow waters off Soundview Park, near the mouth of the Bronx River. It was the morning of October 28 and the sun was shining upon a promising experiment.

That morning, about 50,000 baby oysters were placed in the Bronx River on a reef of rock and mollusk shell that had been constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. One of six reefs placed throughout New York Harbor and as far up the estuary as Hastings, NY, the Soundview reef is part of the Oyster Restoration Research Project, a major undertaking coordinated by the Hudson River Foundation to determine if oysters can be restored to the New York Harbor Estuary. Project partners include NY/NJ Baykeeper, NYC Department of Parks & Recreation's Natural Resources Group, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, NY/NJ Harbor Estuary Program, Urban Assembly New York Harbor School, Bronx River Alliance, Rocking the Boat and WCS-NOAA Regional Partnership.

Oyster reef restoration is a key element of the Army Corps' Comprehensive Restoration Plan for the Hudson-Raritan Estuary, a far-reaching plan produced with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. As noted by the Hudson River Foundation in its release about the experimental oyster reefs, "The possibility of their restoration has captured the interest of scientists, policy-makers and the general public, all recognizing the importance of the oyster as a key biological component of the New York Harbor Estuary, as a symbol of environmental improvement and as a means of further connecting people to and understanding and appreciation of the Hudson River estuary."

The baby oysters placed in their new homes around the Harbor were raised by students and staff at the New York Harbor School. The plan calls for the reefs to be monitored for the next two years, to begin to determine if it is possible for oysters to thrive once again in New York Harbor.

The City first began discussing the idea of recreating shellfish beds in the Bronx River in 2005, and then actually established pilot beds in the Soundview estuary in 2006. "We are pleased to partner with this collection of government and non-profit scientists to enlarge our study," said Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe on Oct. 28. "This research project anchors New York City's ongoing restoration efforts throughout the Bronx River Watershed, from upland, where we are controlling stormwater and planting trees, to the shoreline of Soundview Park, where we are restoring salt marsh, to the estuarine habitat."

Clay Hiles, Executive Director of the Hudson River Foundation, added, "The development of a sound scientific research plan and the cooperative efforts of so many interested people and organizations in implementing that plan are a significant achievement for everyone who cares about this great estuary. This collaboration will produce important information to guide policy makers in decisions affecting the conditions of the harbor and river far into the future."

Photos by Ildiko Reisenbigler for USACE
_________________

* "Oh, oysters come and walk with us!"
The Walrus did beseech.
"A pleasant walk, a pleasant talk,
Along the briny beach."
- Lewis Carroll, 1872
Click here for the rest of the poem (back to top)
 visionLAST CHANCE TO COMMENT ON VISION 2020
Then, a Special Vision 2020 Presentation by NYMTC
This Friday, November 12, is the deadline to comment on the draft recommendations for Vision 2020: The New York City Comprehensive Waterfront Plan. The plan's draft recommendations are available for download here. Comments may be submitted online here or via email to [email protected]. The Dept. of City Planning expects to complete the final plan by December 31.

On Thursday, November 18, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) will present a special public talk by Mary Kimball, Vision 2020 project director, at 1:15pm at 199 Water Street, 22nd floor. Ms. Kimball will discuss the plan and how its recommendations will set forth a ten-year vision that recognizes the diversity of the waterfront and the importance of balancing the city's many needs. She will provide an overview of some of the comments received on the draft recommendations. Please RSVP to Andrea Miles-Cole at 212.383.7200 or [email protected]. (back to top)
pier25PIER 25 REOPENS
Small Boat Marina & Historic Ship Berthing to Open Next Year
Most of the new Pier 25,
Pier 25 opened on Nov. 4, a rainy day.
Photos: Robert Simko
which extends into the Hudson River from No. Moore Street in Tribeca, is now open, with the exception of the miniature golf course, beach volleyball area and food concession. Those will open when warm weather returns in the spring.

Until then, visitors can stroll to the end of the pier and enjoy sweeping views of the water and passing boat traffic. Along the way, they'll find an open playground, skate park and a small artificial turf field.

This is the longest pier in Hudson River Park. It includes a town dock on the south side and moorings for historic ships on the north side. Noreen Doyle, Executive Vice President of the Hudson River Park Trust, told WaterWire that the Trust will coordinate visits from historic vessels, and is discussing the management structure of the small boat marina. Ms. Doyle expects to see boats docked around Pier 25 by next spring.
 
Construction continues on Pier 26, the future home of a public boathouse, caf� and estuarium. The boathouse/caf� building will begin construction this fall with funds provided by the City of New York and will open in 2012. (back to top)
SIMORE PUBLIC ACCESS COMING TO STATEN ISLAND SHORELINE
Port Authority Invests $3.5 Million in West Brighton Waterfront
About a year ago, Community Board 1 of Staten Island formed a Greenway Committee and began to work seriously on what local residents had talked about for years: a waterfront path for pedestrians and cyclists from the St. George ferry terminal along the North Shore, under the Bayonne Bridge, past Shooters Island Bird Sanctuary to the New York Container Terminal.
Google map of Staten Island's North Shore. Apologies for the tininess. The yellow line of the Bayonne Bridge bisects the North Shore. St. George Terminal is at the upper right curve and the NY Container Port is at the upper left curve.
The Committee received good news about two weeks ago when the Port Authority announced it would invest $3.5 million toward the transformation of the former Blissenbach Marina in West Brighton into a public lawn and meadow with waterfront access. The PA had purchased this property, which is a little more than halfway to the Bayonne Bridge along the Kill van Kull, for $3 million in 2004.

The PA money comes from the agency's $60 million Harbor Estuary Program, which is devoted to balancing redevelopment with habitat restoration and public access. The PA has arranged for the Trust for Public Land to develop the site, which will be overseen by the NYC Parks Dept.

"It's great to see action is now taking place to transform the former Blissenbach Marina into a waterfront park," said City Council member Debi Rose, who grew up across the street from the marina. "Over the years, it became overgrown with weeds and became inaccessible. But now, through the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in partnership with the Trust for Public Land, the Blissenbach North Shore Marina property will be accessible to the public once again. I recognize this as the first step in the footprint of the North Shore Greenway Waterfront Trail. It's a great place to let everyone see how our maritime industry and green spaces can co-exist for the benefit of all."

Linda Eskenas, President of the North Shore Waterfront Greenbelt Committee, said, "The North Shore Waterfront Greenbelt Committee is dedicated to protecting and restoring our natural waterfront for future generations to enjoy. This great site is a major link in the Lenape Indian Greenway Heritage Trail & Park, a linear trail that will take pedestrians, cyclists, and perhaps someday, commuters, from the Staten Island Ferry Terminal to the Goethals Bridge." (back to top)
bushEDC LOOKING FOR BUSH TERMINAL DEVELOPER
RFP is the Next Step in Activating an Industrial Site at the Brooklyn Waterfront
Sunset Park in contextOn November 1, the NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the lease and development of the 130,000-square-foot Bush Terminal property in Brooklyn's Sunset Park.

The redevelopment of this site is part of the City's Sunset Park Vision Plan, released last year, which lays out a multi-layered plan for a 21st-century industrial waterfront that maximizes efficient movement of goods, creates good jobs, fosters environmentally friendly practices and takes into account neighborhood needs.

On the east side, Bush Terminal is connected to the national freight rail network through the 51st Street Rail Yard. On the water side, the Bush Terminal industrial area borders four piers, once a brownfield, which are being transformed into Bush Terminal Piers Park. The entire Sunset Park waterfront industrial complex also includes the Brooklyn Army Terminal and the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal.

"Building upon and maintaining the city's working waterfront is a high priority of this administration," EDC President Seth W. Pinsky said in a statement provided by the EDC.

To obtain a copy of the complete RFP, please visit www.nycedc.com/rfp. Responses are due on Friday, January 28, 2011 at 4pm. (back to top)

corridorHUDSON RIVER FOOD CORRIDOR WILL SUPPORT LOCAL FARMS AND CONSERVE RESOURCES
Union Square Greenmarket Shoppers Hear about the Marine Highway
US Department of Agriculture Under Secretary Harris Sherman (right) came to the Union Square Greenmarket on November 5 to talk about the Hudson River Food Corridor initiative. Surrounded by shoppers, environmentalists, farmers and food policy students from Brooklyn College, Mr. Sherman spoke about a healthy environment and the importance of a local food supply. Using the Hudson River as a marine highway, he said, will support local farms, bring fresh food grown in New York's rural communities to New York City in a energy-efficient, resource-conserving manner, and reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.

The Lower Hudson-Long Island Resource Conservation and Development Council Inc. is developing this waterway food corridor transport system. The team of partners hopes to have a pilot within two years. First step: find a suitable barge. (back to top)
partnersMWA PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Expanding every week, the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance is more than a coalition; it's a force. We are ferry captains, shipping executives, park directors, scientists, sailors, paddlers, swimmers, teachers, urban planners, architects and more. Together, we advocate for the best possible waterfront in the best possible city, a waterfront that is clean and accessible to all, with a robust maritime workforce and efficient, affordable waterborne transportation. Join us! Contact Louis Kleinman at [email protected].

Meet some Partners of the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance:
  • A Movable Bridge & the Motor Vessel Puffin
    http://amovablebridge.wordpress.com/
    The blog A Movable Bridge was begun in 2008 to document an attempt to pass under each movable bridge operated by the New York City Department of Transportation..
  • Harlem Community Development Corp.
    http://www.harlemcdc.com/
    Harlem Community Development Corporation ("Harlem CDC"), a New York State public benefit corporation, was created in 1995 to serve the greater Harlem community, including East Harlem, Central Harlem, West Harlem and Washington Heights, through planning and facilitating the development of a range of community development projects and revitalization initiatives and restore Upper Manhattan as an economically stable and culturally vibrant community.
  • iLand
    http://www.ilandart.org
    iLAND Interdisciplinary Laboratory for Art, Nature and Dance investigates the power of dance, in collaboration with other fields, to illuminate our kinetic understanding of the world. iLAND, a dance research organization with a fundamental commitment to environmental sustainability as it relates to art and the urban context, cultivates cross-disciplinary research among artists, environmentalists, scientists, urban designers and other fields.
  • Women's City Club of NY
    http://www.wccny.org
    The Women's City Club, established in 1915, is a nonprofit, non-partisan, multi-issue activist organization that is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all New Yorkers. The WCC works to shape public policy to promote responsive government through issue analysis, education, advocacy and civic participation.
  • (back to top)
NLWATERFRONT NEWS LINKS
Along Jamaica Bay, a Landfill's Visual Legacy
The New York Times, November 10, 2010
 
Toxic avenger! Pollution foils film studio expansion
The Brooklyn Paper, November 10, 2010
 
New York's Next Frontier: The Waterfront
The New York Times, November 5, 2010
 
Turn Piles of Waste Into Piles of Cash, City Asks
The New York Times, November 5, 2010
 
Gowanus Canal Advisory Group Holds Its Inaugural Meeting
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, October 29, 2010
 
Research Project Looks to Restore Oyster Reefs to Harbor
New York 1, October 28, 2010
 
The Little Girl Who Lit The Bayonne Bridge
Science 2.0, Oct. 23, 2010
 
A nice day on the river
The Star-Ledger, October 22, 2010
 
A Beach Bungalow With a Magnetic Pull
The New York Times, October 22, 2010
(back to top)

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