7. The Vision
80 East River Esplanade Vision Plan
Site Specific Visions Through research, analysis, outreach, and discussions with city and state agency representatives, it became apparent that a phased, incremental approach to the reconstruction of the Esplanade would be most feasible for this project. The technical, financial, and regulatory challenges suggest that some long narrow segments will remain as such, even if the more ambitious designs of a long-term master plan are implemented. However, there are clearly opportunities to broaden the Esplanade in certain locations. This would create larger nodes that will better serve the needs of the community and reconnect people to their waterfront. In this report, opportunities are delineated as short (0-5 years), medium (5-10 years), and long-term (10+ years). In many cases, the short-term opportunities are temporary in nature, and can be implemented to energize the community and activate areas as longer-term and more comprehensive construction is ongoing. Short-term, temporary opportunities are envisioned as bold, playful gestures, potentially whimsical in nature and designed to spark conversation about the community s desires for future design. Other short-term interventions simply involve removing the physical and visual clutter of derelict furnishing and dead vegetation, serving to make circulation easier and prepare for longer-term projects. In some locations, the desired condition requires a longer timeframe within which to plan, construct, and secure funding. It is important to note that the concepts presented in this report are a vision describing only some of the many possible outcomes. They should serve as an aspirational template, but not be overly prescriptive or inflexible. Based on feedback at community meetings, there is a high level of confidence regarding the location of proposed nodes. However, additional community input would be solicited as specific long-term plans are developed for each of the segments and nodes. E Existing S M 1-5 Years 5-10 Years L 10+ Years CIVITAS Mathews Nielsen 81
Andrew Haswell Green Park 60th 63rd Street S Andrew Haswell Green Park is the southernmost node in the project study area, and should be considered a primary gateway to the Esplanade from both the adjacent neighborhoods and the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge. Upon completion of the East Midtown Waterfront Esplanade, this site will also serve as a vital connector to all points south on Manhattan s East River Waterfront. In the short-term, there are opportunities to open up a large riverside area that is currently inaccessible to the public. An intervention might involve creating an urban beach with sand and lawn chairs or another temporary installation that would beautify and enliven the Esplanade until funds and plans are in place for medium and long-term redevelopment. In the long-term, the implementation of NYCDPR s plan for Andrew Haswell Green Park will significantly improve this landscape. The adaptive reuse of area within the former heliport building and reconstruction of the southern portion of the site, along with connection to the ODR Esplanade, will create a more complete gateway experience. Currently, construction of this plan is projected to begin in 3 years. E 82 East River Esplanade Vision Plan
Short-term Clean up and open the existing gravel parking lot to the public Temporary beach, seating, food carts Temporary landscape installations (container plants and seating), art Summer movies projected on the walls Medium-term Implement NYCDPR plans for area with new park design Improve 60th Street entrance, make ADA accessible Long-term Connect to East Midtown Waterfront (ODR) Esplanade Fully redesign 60th Street entrance as a major park gateway Integrate flood protection and sea level rise considerations into design Reuse old heliport building as a public amenity 60-63 M Source: NYCDPR CIVITAS Mathews Nielsen 83
Esplanade Segment 63rd to 81st Street E The segment between East 63rd and 81st Streets is a relatively narrow section of the Esplanade, often less than 15 feet in width. At East 72nd Street, an emergency breakdown lane for the FDR creates a pinch point in the Esplanade, and the width is barely wide enough for two people to walk side-by-side. A Con Edison building at 74th Street also narrows the pathway, limiting access to the river s edge for roughly two city blocks. If the building is removed this would allow for pathway expansion and the addition of planting along the FDR. Noise levels are high along this entire segment. Space is needed to mitigate the negative impact of the FDR, but increasing the width of the Esplanade by driving piles and decking over the river in this location would be a costly measure, as the East River is deep and the sides of the channel are steep along this entire stretch (approximately 40 feet deep and greater). A number of buildings with air rights extend over the FDR, and additional decking over the FDR is planned as part of the Rockefeller University s new laboratory facility construction project. This project extends from 64th to 68th Street and includes noise mitigation measures, an intervention that, if extended, would greatly benefit additional portions of this linear landscape. A large and narrow set of stairs at 81st Street limits pedestrian and bicycle accessibility. Plans exist to replace these stairs with an ADA accessible ramp designed as part of a new pedestrian bridge at 81st to the Esplanade. A plan generated by the DDC for that bridge in 2012 is being controversially resuscitated. 84 East River Esplanade Vision Plan
Short-term Implement critical repairs Simplify design and eliminate elements that constrict clear path width Medium-term Implement noise barriers while ensuring visibility and safety Provide ADA accessible connection to Carl Schurz Park at 81st Street Implement improvements planned with Rockefeller construction project Long-term Relocate/remove Con Edison facility from Esplanade Integrate flood protection and consider sea level rise in design Provide vehicular (maintenance and emergency) accessible route along entire length Widen Esplanade to 40 minimum width Deck over additional segments (71st to 81st Streets) where appropriate based on elevation and condition of inland neighborhoods. Additional study is needed to determine the compatibility of this option with adjacent residential buildings 63-81 M Source: Rafael Viñoly Architects CIVITAS Mathews Nielsen 85
John Jay Park 76th to 78th Street L E John Jay Park is a wonderful community park along the west side of the FDR between East 76th and 78th Street. The park is primarily comprised of active recreation facilities, including a swimming pool and playground. There is a small area for passive recreation with a grove of London Plane Trees and benches that overlook the river along the southeastern edge. The view is largely obscured by a chain link fence, and noise from the FDR deters use. John Jay Park is elevated above the FDR and the Esplanade. Extending the park to the East River, in much the same way that Carl Schurz Park seamlessly transitions from neighborhood park to Esplanade, presents a major opportunity at this location. A decked expansion over the FDR would increase parkland by approximately 54,880 sf (1.26 acres), and provide open space for community events and passive recreation. It would also serve to reconnect the park to the river and mitigate noise from the FDR. This solution requires an in-depth study to determine how the elevated park can transition to the existing Esplanade below. Long-term Deck over the FDR and create additional parkland 86 East River Esplanade Vision Plan
Multi-Use Path Planted Berms Lounge Area Sculpture Lawn L 76-78 CIVITAS Mathews Nielsen 87
Carl Schurz Park + Gracie Promenade 81st to 90th Street E The Esplanade at Carl Schurz Park is one of the most active and well-used sections between 60th and 125th Streets. The park brings hundreds of users to the Esplanade each day. Many facets of Carl Schurz Park The Gracie Promenade is a broad section of the Esplanade from 81st to 84th Street that is devoid of any planting or seating, and is detailed with roadway style lighting. While consideration of the adjacent residents CIVITAS make it an appealing CIVITAS destination. CIVITAS The should CIVITAS be integrated CIVITAS into plans for CIVITAS this CIVITAS CIVITAS connection to the adjacent neighborhood space, it is clear that it is a community offers one of the few at-grade, accessible resource that should be put to better use. In entrances to the Esplanade. The Esplanade its current form, the community is deprived in this location is elevated over the FDR and of nearly 29,700 square feet (0.68 acres) of adequately buffered from vehicular noise. potentially improved parkland. It is also sufficiently wide (over 30 feet) and can accommodate bicycles, pedestrians, and seating. For the most part, this section of the Esplanade is well designed and does not need significant modification. A new handrail design that does not obscure views of the river while seated would significantly improve the experience. 88 East River Esplanade Vision Plan
S Short-term Temporary landscape installations between 81st and 84th Streets Handicap accessible entrances at the ends of 81st Street, Gracie Terrace, and 82nd Street Remove unnecessary gated segments across Esplanade at Gracie Square and East 83rd Streets Medium-term New handrail design at Esplanade with improved visibility Design permanent landscape installations between 81st and 84th Streets 81-90 CIVITAS Mathews Nielsen 89