Photo: Courtesy of Pathstopier42.com
The plans for the new Pier 42 Harbor Park are slowly coming along. Recently they were able to secure another $12 million for the project in addition to the $7 million they received via settlement funds, making a total of $36 million.
In 2012 the project to revamp the park received $16 million from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation. The remodel was designed by Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects in close collaboration with NYC Parks and, according to the original timeline, the Park was to be completed in 2016. But without sufficient funding there hasn’t been much of a development in breaking ground on the project.
Photo: Courtesy of Boweryboogie.com
For years US Senator Chuck Schumer and State Senator Squadron have been trying to get the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation to fund more money for the project, and this year it finally happened. The newly secured $12 million is meant to help kick off phase one of the remodel of the park, which will entail dismantling an old warehouse structure, removing toxic soil, asbestos, and lead paint as well as planting new vegetation and repairing bike/ pedestrian paths.
Photo: Courtesy of Pathstopier42.com
The new funding should kick the project back into gear, but alas it still looks like there is a long way before Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects’ vision will be able to be thoroughly enjoyed. Due to “design and planning issues” the construction isn’t expected to begin before 2017.
-by Eva Troester
