News and stories about the waterways of New York and New Jersey, from the Metropolitan Waterfront AllianceAPRIL 15, 2013
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CONTENTS
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Mayoral candidates were questioned, resilience experts appreciated, waterfront heroes saluted
Ferry Tales - Updates from the world of ferries and MWA's Ferry Transit Program
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600+ ADVOCATES & POLICY-MAKERS ADDRESS WATERFRONT CHALLENGES
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More than 600 people gathered for the MWA Waterfront Conference 2013 aboard the Hornblower Infinity on April 9 -- including six NYC mayoral candidates and 40+ journalists from the realms of print, radio, TV and Internet -- to address pressing issues about protecting and improving hundreds of miles of metropolitan waterfront in the wake of Superstorm Sandy.
The Conference began with a Mayoral Candidates Forum; City Council Speaker Christine Quinn (above) was the first to describe her vision for the waterfront and take questions from moderator Christopher Ward, MWA Chairman. "We need to harness the employment potential of our waterfront," Ms. Quinn said, and called for a deputy mayor to coordinate waterfront issues. She was followed by candidates Bill de Blasio, Bill Thompson, John Liu, John Catsimatidis and Adolfo Carrion, Jr.
Pushing for a deputy mayor for infrastructure to oversee waterfront development, Mr. Thompson offered a specific financing plan for ferry subsidies when challenged by Mr. Ward. First, he said, he would tie ferries into the larger mass transit system and then he would pay for them by bringing back the commuter tax for mass transit and establishing a weight-based registration fee for vehicles. This, Mr. Thompson said, would generate $1.7 billion to $2 billion.
John Liu likes the idea of inclusionary zoning for waterfront properties, and called for "stronger oversight and regulation" on the waterways. He said he would move government dollars from highway funding to mass transit to pay for ferry subsidies.
Mr. de Blasio compared the NYC waterfront to Seattle's, where he said he was struck by "the holistic system embedded in people's lives in a good way."
Mr. Catsimatidis, who owns shoreline properties, spoke of the potential for new jobs and business along the waterfront.
Mr. Carrion noted an unexploited opportunity for eco-tourism. He also said he would create a Community Board-type governance structure for waterfront communities.
Six panels of experts discussing of-the-moment waterfront topics rounded out the rest of the day, the later four while the boat cruised around New York Harbor. Among the speakers were Alex Brash, Northeast Regional Director, National Parks Conservation Association; Jim Tripp, Senior Counsel, Environmental Defense Fund; Claire Weisz, Principal, WXY Architecture & Urban Design; Jamie Rubin, New York State Director, Hurricane Sandy Recovery Task Force (HUD); and Will Shafroth, Acting Commissioner, National Parks of New York Harbor.
One of the most dynamic speakers was Garret Graves, Chairman of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana, who participated on the "Build a Good Study - Build a Better Coast" panel about government studies dictating the course of resiliency. "It's important to act now!" he exclaimed. "The attention you're getting now is going to wane. Identify the no-regrets/no-brainer projects now and push for funding. Don't wait two years!"Mr. Graves had plenty of other advice. "You have to be open to reconfiguration," he said. "Don't plan for another Sandy. Plan for the next storm. I guarantee you there are other vulnerabilities here. You need to be aggressive, and you need to act now."Please click here for descriptions of the panel subject matters and a list of all distinguished speakers. Video of each panel will be posted soon. The honoring of the Heroes of the Harbor took place during the conference cocktail hour. 2013 Heroes are... READ MORE
Top two photos by Ian Douglas, bottom photo by Paul Margolis
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DOCKNYC IS LAUNCHED
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Under the moniker DOCKNYC, six New York City docking sites administered by the NYC Economic Development Corporation now have a single operator: BillyBey Marina Services, in partnership with the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance. Already the operator of the World Financial Center ferry terminal and the East River Ferry, BillyBey -- with MWA's assistance -- is expected to streamline permitting, marketing and activation of these six new waterfront berthing sites. From south to north, the DOCKNYC sites and their potential visitors and activities are... READ MORE_________________________________________________________
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THANKS FROM SHEEPSHEAD BAY
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Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, may be one of New York's lesser known waterfront neighborhoods. Even after Superstorm Sandy, when boats from the six local marinas were tossed onto the streets, and homes and businesses wrecked by unprecedented floods, the media mostly focused on other stretches of battered shoreline, such as the nearby Rockaways. As it always does, the plucky Sheepshead Bay community picked itself up and went forward. Local shorefront businesses are reopening one by one, and the fishing fleet and excursion boats are getting ready for the season. On April 18, the Bay Improvement Group (BIG), a civic association dedicated to Sheepshead Bay, will honor those who stepped forward during and after the great storm to help their neighbors. Click here to read about the honorees.
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3D PRINTED CONCRETE PROPOSED FOR MARINE PILES
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To encourage architects, planners and engineers to consider sustainable shoreline construction appropriate for a stormy 21st century, the NYC Economic Development Corporation and the Hudson River Park Trust sponsored the Change the Course competition, asking for innovative concepts on building and maintaining waterfront infrastructure in a more cost-effective and sustainable manner. In the photo above, guests at the Change the Course forum, at which the winners were announced, examine deteriorated piles from NYC waters. The teams that won first, second and third place in the Changing the Course waterfront construction competition all addressed the problem of deteriorating piles.
First place winner D-Shape proposes Digital Concrete, a method that begins with 3D scanning and moves to 3D printing of concrete, combining the best of... READ MORE. _________________________________________________________
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New York City's ferries have made waves in the news this week. On April 11, before a crowd of journalists and transit enthusiasts at LaGuardia Community College, NYC City Council Speaker and mayoral hopeful Christine Quinn announced the launch of Fair Ride NYC, her 10-year, five-point transportation plan designed to ensure that no New Yorker's commute exceeds one hour each way. Embracing their affordability, speed, economic development potential, and indispensability in emergency response, Speaker Quinn named ferries as Transit Strategy #3, proposing expanded service to East 91st Street, Roosevelt Island, Atlantic Avenue, Red Hook and Ferry Point Park.
Senator Chuck Schumer is also fanning ferry fervor in waterfront communities by throwing his support behind the EDC's latest push for ferry expansion. Hoping to broaden ferries' reach and make them more accessible during emergency events, the EDC has applied for capital funds from the federal government to install mobile landings in Astoria, Brooklyn Bridge Park, the Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island. Naming the potential network the "Nerd Boat," Schumer hopes the new landings will support ferry service that connects burgeoning tech hubs to Cornell's new Roosevelt Island campus.
On the ferry funding front, recognizing the critical lifeline that ferries provided in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, the federal government is sending $22 million to city agencies that facilitated post-Sandy ferry operations. A portion of the funding will go to the NYC Department of Transportation to compensate for Staten Island Ferry terminal preparations, free shuttle service, and repairs, while the Economic Development Corporation will receive compensation for the additional service it ran on the East River Ferry and to the Rockaways. The Trust for Governors Island will also get a share for cleanup efforts and for repairs to the Battery Maritime ferry terminal.
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BY & LARGEShort items on waterfront events and issues
Rally in Herald Square to Save the SS United States
In 1952, Manhattan's waterfront was still primarily a very long row of Hudson River piers hosting arriving and departing ships, the center of New York's maritime industry. The most romantic segment was "luxury liner row" in the West 80s, where the great national flagships arrived from Southampton, Cherbourg, Genoa, Oslo, and Stockholm, magnificent symbols of technological accomplishment and patriotic pride. America was late to this glamorous party: our first truly great liner, SS United States, did not enter service until 1952, joining her smaller, older running mate SS America and immediately breaking all speed records. SS United States was a stunning challenger to her competitors, but the jet plane sounded the death knell for the great liners only ten years later, and even such a shining example as our national flagship fell victim. Miraculously, the United States is still afloat at a pier in Philadelphia, more than 50 years after her withdrawal from service, and there is a vigorous move afoot to save her from the scrappers. Join the SS United States Conservancy at a rally in Herald Square on April 19 from 6am to 9am and help advocate for the preservation of the ship as a means to spur waterfront growth and development. Concepts for bringing the ship to New York will be presented. Indeed, it is hard to imagine a more appropriate location for a preserved, re-purposed SS United States than Manhattan, her home port for the 17 years of her too-short life. - Brian Rogers
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ILA Approves New Master Contract
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South Street Seaport Museum Galleries Close
Unable to pay for maintaining temporary power and heat systems that were damaged last fall by Superstorm Sandy, the South Street Seaport Museum has closed its exhibition spaces at 12 Fulton Street while permanent repairs are made. The Museum's Bowne Printers, a working print shop at 209 Water Street, remains open every day 11am to 7pm. _________________________
Rowing Opportunities for All on the Harlem River
You've heard, perhaps, about exciting plans for both sides of the Harlem River -- the greenways, the parks, the public access, the improving water quality. Not surprisingly, there's also a rowing renaissance. While the river may not yet be hosting the numbers of racing boats and waterfront spectators seen 100 years ago (photo above), more and more rowers are locking oars into place and pushing off in long, sleek shells from Harlem River docks. Little commercial boat traffic and a weaker current than the Hudson or East Rivers offer good rowing conditions on the Harlem River. Two organizations on the river are offering adult learn-to-row classes and masters programs for experienced rowers -- Row New York, manager of the Peter J. Sharp Boathouse on the Manhattan side of the river, and on the Bronx side, rowing out of Roberto Clemente State Park in the Bronx, Harlem River Community Rowing. Rowing programs are already in session, with openings available through the season. Click here for information on Row New York learn-to-row programs and here for RNY's masters recreational programs. Click here for HRCR learn-to-row programs and here for masters rowing. Costs vary. ________________________
Comment on the Gowanus Canal Clean-Up Plan
The Environmental Protection Agency's half-billion dollar clean-up plan for the Gowanus Canal includes removal of contaminated sediment, capping dredged areas and new controls to prevent raw sewage overflows. Download the plan here. The EPA has extended the deadline for public comment to April 27, 2013. Click here to email comments to the EPA. Contact Natalie Loney, the EPA's Community Involvement Coordinator, with any questions.
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EVENTS April 16Glenn Close, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Lyle Lovett and others join Riverkeeper to honor actor and environmentalist Mark Ruffalo at this annual fundraiser. 6:30pm-10pm, Pier 60, Chelsea Piers Get updates on South Street Seaport Museum, Pier 17 and the Howard Hughes Corp. 6pm, 49-51 Chambers Street
April 17 Recognition of exemplary community leaders and prominent individuals and organizations with a demonstrated commitment to experiential education, the environment, maritime traditions, and youth developments. 5:30pm, New York Yacht Club, 37 West 44th Street
National Lighthouse Museum Walking Tour
Tour t he site of the National Lighthouse Museum. Learn about the history of this location and explore the area, plaza and pier. 6pm. Meet at the steps of the St. George Post Office, 45 Bay St., Staten Island April 18The Spirit Project
Music, food and fun. Proceeds go to struggling Seaport businesses. 5pm-9pm. Spruce Street School, PS 397, 12 Spruce Street, South Street SeaportPlanning for Hoboken's Future Post-SandyWill Hoboken be ready for the next storm? This is the first event of a series about resilience, Hoboken-style. Reception, presentation, first day of a three-day exhibition. 7pm, Proto Gallery, 66 Willow Street, Hoboken, NJ
April 19
8:30am-4pm. Waldorf-Astoria, 301 Park Avenue Rally for the country's flagship, 6am-9am, Herald Square
April 202pm. La Marina, Dyckman Street/Hudson River At Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Queens (bus Q 52/53). 10:30am-12:30pm. Register at 718-318-4340. April 22
6pm-8pm, Cooper Union's Great Hall, 7 E. 7th Street April 24
9am-5:30pm, State University of New York, New Paltz
Click here for more water-related events on the MWA web site! ______________________ CLASSIFIED ADSPlace your water-related classified ad free in WaterWire! Contact [email protected]
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_____________________________________________________________________________________________ WATERFRONT NEWSLINKS
Sinking Barge Damages Pier on Coney Island "Emergency crews were working to stop further damage to the Steeple-Chase Pier from a sinking barge off Coney Island Saturday..." NBC News, April 13, 2013
Radical transformation coming to Pier 57 in the Meatpacking District "An abandoned and crumbling West Side pier will be transformed into a retail, food, art, and cultural beacon under a plan approved by the city Tuesday..." NY Daily News, April 9, 2013
Officials Push for East River Ferry Expansion to Astoria's Hallets Point "City and federal officials are looking for funding from Washington to expand the East River Ferry, pushing a plan that would bring the waterway service to Astoria's developing Hallets Point peninsula and several other city neighborhoods..." DNA Info, April 4, 2013
Truck count shows need to offset Bayonne Bridge project, Ironbound group says "...The sponsor of the count says the results underscore the need to address projected truck traffic increases resulting from the Bayonne Bridge project..." The Star-Ledger, April 2, 2013 ______________________________________________________________________________________
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The Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance thanks its partners, sponsors, supporters, champions and friends for their roles in this year's Waterfront Conference.
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