News and stories about the waterways of
New York and New Jersey, from the
Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance

OCTOBER 18, 2014

The historic Lettie G. Howard ties up at MWA's Bay Ridge Eco Dock, a new berthing option for vessels, historic and otherwise.
CONTENTS
Read the Jamaica Bay Watershed Protection Plan A comprehensive update, just released   
Can't Get Enough of Heroes of the Harbor? Pour over loads of fun photos; bid on auction items 
Bushwick Inlet Park in Jeopardy Proposed waterfront park is going nowhere fast 
PUTTING OUT THE WELCOME HISTORICMAT FOR HISTORIC SHIPS
On October 9, 2014, an email went out to supporters of the
Half Moon, a replica of the ship that bore Henry Hudson to these shores in 1609. Unable to find permanent berth space and facing a continuing budget shortfall, Captain Chip Reynolds revealed that he had begun discussing the sale of the ship to a museum in Hoorn, Netherlands.

Historic ship advocates were distressed. Jonathan Atkin, a maritime photographer, said the situation illustrated the difficulties faced by historic ships across the country and "the national failure to maintain maritime heritage."

Historic vessel operators and maritime history buffs who make up groups such as the North River Historic Ship Society and the Historic Ships Coalition have long advocated for NYC to be more accommodating to historic ships and tall ships. Bert Rogers, executive director of Tall Ships America, an organization based in Newport, RI, that organizes tall ship gatherings around the country and promotes maritime heritage, said the tall ship community had felt unwelcome several years ago when an opportunity to host a major event in NYC had come up. He made this comment last year at the launch of DockNYC, a program run by Billybey Marina Services with community outreach assistance from the MWA that seeks to activate six berth sites owned by the NYC Economic Development Corporation. "This is a start," Mr. Rogers said then, referring with enthusiasm to DockNYC. "I'm very encouraged. It's nice to know who to call."

Historic and tall ship operators can also get important information about docking from the city's WAVES initiative, released in 2011, which provides details on site features, public amenities, and the protocols for docking at each of 20 locations. Standard permit applications for short- and long-term stays at publicly-managed docks were developed to help historic vessels showcase the city's maritime past and draw people to the water.

Still, historic vessel advocates complain that they don't have enough options for docking. Billybey's Donald Liloia said in some cases there are infrastructure issues, but the greater challenge is cost. "Some we allow at severe discounts, some we allow pro bono," he said of historic vessels coming to DockNYC sites. "Part of the challenge is that everyone wants the prime dock space. How do you deal with that when these spaces cost money to maintain?"

Mary Habstritt, president of the Historic Ships Coalition and museum director of the steamship Lilac, docked at Pier 25, noted another problem, "Once a potential berth is identified, there are often expectations or regulations that cannot be met," she said. "This can include high insurance requirements or an expectation that a ship will run on generator power during a visit -- an expensive way to power a ship that is intended as back-up only for most vessels."

Mr. Liloia does what he can. Recently, DockNYC offered David Sharps, owner of the Waterfront Museum/Lehigh Valley Barge No. 79, based in Red Hook, Brooklyn, the opportunity to visit the West Harlem Piers at 125th Street, a DockNYC site. "We're actively out there trying to get historic boats," Mr. Liloia said.

Even though Tall Ships America has not paid a call to New York Harbor since DockNYC was launched, Mr. Rogers told WaterWire this week that "DockNYC provides good options for tall ships to berth. It's very important to know about these assets and MWA's role in brokering these assets. In fact, I brought DockNYC to the attention of the managers of L'Hermione." L'Hermione, a replica of the French tall ship that brought Lafayette to America in 1780, will be reaffirming French/U.S. ties next summer when she visits New York City. She will be berthed in North Cove, one of the city's most popular marinas hosting historic and educational vessels.

In recent years, more dock space in NYC has opened up specifically for historic vessels. Hudson River Park demonstrated its commitment to the area's maritime history by designing Pier 25 to accommodate historic ships. Work is underway at Brooklyn Bridge Park to prepare the north side of Pier 6 for use by historic and educational vessels.

But change is coming too slowly for some. "The potential loss of the Half Moon due in part to lack of docking facilities is a tragedy," said MWA President Roland Lewis. "The continuing absence of tall ships and historic ships from our waters diminishes our magnificent harbor -- but this is a fixable problem. Through our work with DockNYC, through our Community Eco Dock program and the Open Waters Initiative, and through the new Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines program, MWA is working hard to make our harbor a destination of choice and ease for these great vessels."

New York City agencies are committed to ensuring the region's maritime history does not slip away. "New York City's maritime heritage is a vital component of NYCEDC's efforts to integrate New Yorkers with the city's over 500 miles of waterfront and support the greater maritime industry," said Christopher Carroll, EDC spokesperson. "Through DockNYC, a program designed to balance access between the working shoreline and maritime cultural and education outreach initiatives, we are working to identify creative and innovative ways to bring historic and tall ships to our waterfront, linking New Yorkers to our unique modern and historical maritime heritage."
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JAMAICA BAY WATERSHED BAY
PLAN UPDATE RELEASED BY DEP

If you're interested in a comprehensive update on restoration work in and around Jamaica Bay, check out this new report from the NYC Department of Environmental Protection. Released October 1, the Jamaica Bay Watershed Protection Plan details the collaborative work of community, nonprofit, state, city, and federal partners in various projects that improve water quality, restore natural ecological functions, and upgrade the resilience of the bay. Photographs of many of the projects can be seen on DEP's Flickr page. Here are some highlights:

Ribbed Mussel Pilot - DEP is monitoring a colony of ribbed mussels in Fresh Creek (a tributary to Jamaica Bay), assessing the amounts of impurities being filtered by the mussels.

Science and Resilience Institute - In 2013, NYC and the federal government established the Science and Resilience Institute to advance cutting-edge science for restoration and resilience. In 2014, the Institute was awarded a $7.7 million grant from New York State to... READ MORE HERE!
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RELIVE THE HEROES OF THE HARBOR WITH THESE PHOTOS HEROES
With more than 400 attending, it was a sold-out crowd -- and then some -- at MWA's Heroes of the Harbor Gala on October 6! We thank you sincerely for your enthusiasm, your amazing work, and your support. To see photographs (by Ian Douglas and Whitney Browne) from the splendid evening, please click here.

Although the festivities are behind us, there is still an opportunity to support MWA by bidding on one of our exciting Charitybuzz auction items.
BY & LARGE
      
Last Chance this Season to Explore Newark's Riverfront 
Join Newark Riverfront Revival and Hackensack Riverkeeper for the last boat tours of the season of Newark's riverfront. On Saturday, October 18, the two-hour tours will travel from the industrial area north of Port Newark to Newark's boundary with Belleville. On Sunday, October 19, the two-hour tours will focus on Port Newark & Elizabeth, the largest and busiest port on the east coast. All tours explore the dramatic past of Newark's riverfront and how Newarkers are shaping its future. Tickets must be purchased in advance. General tickets are $15, Newark residents are $5. For reservations, email Newark Riverfront Revival or call 201-341-8311. Tours embark from the new public boat dock in Newark Riverfront Park.
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Discuss the Long-Term Control Plan for Flushing Creek   
A public meeting on the long-term control plan (LTCP) to improve the health of Flushing Creek will take place on Thursday, October 23, at the Al Oerter Recreational Center, 131-40 Fowler Avenue in Flushing, 6pm to 8pm. A tour of the CSO Retention Facility will take place at 6pm, followed by a NYC Department of Environmental Protection presentation at 6:30pm. The LTCP will evaluate solutions to reduce combined sewer overflows and improve the quality of the Flushing Creek. For more general information on LTCPs click here. To RSVP for the Oct. 23 meeting, email [email protected] or call DEP's Community Affairs Office at 718-595-3496.
  _____________________________     BUSHWICK
Bushwick Inlet Park In Jeopardy  
In 2005, the neighborhoods of Greenpoint and Williamsburg were promised a 28-acre park along North Brooklyn's waterfront. Here's a beautiful rendering.

Nine years later, tens of thousands of new residents could use a little green space and waterfront access, but Bushwick Inlet Park has not materialized. Join the Friends of Bushwick Inlet Park at a brainstorming session on October 21 and help your neighbors work to get the park built. Meet at 7pm at the Bushwick Inlet Park Community Meeting Room, on Kent Avenue at North 9th Street.  
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Four MWA Partners Host Benefits for Important Maritime Projects
On the evening of Friday, October 17, Hudson River Community Sailing hosts its gala reception at New York Yacht Club's Model Room, to raise money to support programs that help prepare young people to succeed on the water, in the classroom, and beyond. The next day, the Sailing for Scholars Regatta takes place on the Hudson River, and the public is invited to enjoy refreshments and play-by-play commentary from Pier 66 Maritime.

On October 21, 5:30pm-8pm, join the folks at Tug Pegasus for a fundraiser with music and refreshments aboard the vessel, docked at Pier 25 in Hudson River Park. Funds raised will support winter restoration work on the old gal. Donate here.

On October 23, Fund for a Better Waterfront will present its annual Riparian Award to Craig Whitaker for his exceptional contribution to Hoboken's waterfront. This fundraiser will take place at the Hoboken Elks Club. For $85 ($75 in advance), join FBW for an evening of music, dancing, fine food, and drink. Rumor has it that Col. John Stevens, creator of the original plan for Hoboken in 1804, will make a special appearance.

On October 28, PortSide NewYork is honoring its Red Hook partners in Sandy recovery: Realty Collective, Schneider Electric, and Peter Rothenberg. $100 gets you barbecue, beer, and wine, and Dixieland jazz from the Red Hook Ramblers. Funds raised will go toward PortSide NewYork's resiliency work. Join the party at Hometown Bar-B-Que, 454 Van Brunt Street in Red Hook.
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EVENTS

October 18
Harbor Ring Rally
Rally for bike and pedestrian access over the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. 11am-12pm, Alice Austin House, 2 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island

October 19
Presented by the Working Harbor Committee. 1pm-5pm. $45, $55. departs from Pier 11. 
Plant the dunes with Rockaway Waterfront Alliance. 10am-12pm. Beach 59th Street.

October 26 
Fall Festival at the Bay Ridge Community Eco Dock
Hop aboard the Clearwater, learn about marine creatures, do arts and crafts. Costumes welcome! 69th Street Pier, Brooklyn. 2pm-6pm. 

  

Click here for more water-related events on the MWA web site! 
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WATERFRONT NEWSLINKS

Pushing Staten Island's North Shore as a tourist destination
"...To most tourists -- and perhaps many New Yorkers -- Staten Island actually is a mysterious locale, separated from the other boroughs by more than just water. But as developers and officials prepare to revitalize the North Shore, the tourism industry looks to expand its reach beyond the loading zone at the St. George Ferry Terminal..."
Staten Island Advance, October 17, 2014

To Walk From Staten Island to Brooklyn: Pedestrian Lane Sought for Verrazano-Narrows Bridge
"...The activists are campaigning for what they call the Harbor Ring, a roughly 50-mile route that circumnavigates the waterfronts of three boroughs and New Jersey. Starting in Staten Island, it crosses the Bayonne Bridge, heads up the New Jersey Gold Coast to Weehawken, onto a ferry to West 39th Street in Manhattan, down the Hudson River Greenway and the Battery, over the Brooklyn Bridge, and finishes on the waterfront in Brooklyn from Red Hook to Bay Ridge..."
The New York Times, October 16, 2014

 On an Island Under Vines, New York City Officials See a Future Park
"'...on Wednesday, in an era highlighted by reinvention of the city's forgotten infrastructure (think the High Line and Governors Island), three members of the City Council toured the island under spitting skies to see whether North Brother could be recast as public space..."
The New York Times, October 15, 2014

Bill to dissolve Waterfront Commission approved by N.J. Senate panel
"...The measure, S-2277, would direct the governor of New Jersey to withdraw from the bi-state compact that created the Waterfront Commission of New York Harbor and to dissolve the commission, which was created in 1953 in the wake of real-life revelations of mob control of the docks depicted in the Marlon Brando film, 'On the Waterfront.'..."
The Star-Ledger, October 10, 2014

Bronx historian found dead in Brooklyn
"...The outgoing Powell was known for his informative walking tours, talks and blogs detailing the relationship between the Bronx River and the African-American communities surrounding the waterway..."
Daily News, October 10, 2014
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Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance | 212-935-9831 | [email protected] | http://www.waterfrontalliance.org
217 Water Street, Suite 300
New York, NY 10038

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