[Photo Sept. 21 by Stacie Joy]
The City will no longer shut down all of East River Park when stormproofing begins in March, opting now for a phased-in approach.
Here's what Gothamist has:
[T]he city has amended its plan to shut down all 45 acres of the park starting this spring, and instead will phase in the construction so only portions of the park are closed to the public at any given time. According to sources familiar with the new plan, the work is expected to be finished in 2025.
The de Blasio administration will announce their change in plans before they have to present them to a City Council land use hearing on Thursday morning, sources tell Gothamist.
We'll post more information as soon as it becomes available. [Updated: Here's the city press release.]
City officials previously planned to close East River Park for three-plus years, elevating it with 8- to 10-feet of soil from Montgomery Street to East 13th Street. Some residents, referring to it as the Kill Our Park Plan, had asked for the demolition and reconstruction of East River Park to take part in phases so that they continue to enjoy some of the amenities that the public space provides... others wanted the original plan that had been in the works for years before the city quietly changed its mind last fall.
Previously on EV Grieve:
• At the march and rally to save East River Park (Sept. 21)
• An annual reunion in East River Park (Aug. 4)
• A visit to East River Park (July 10)