Massive Shoreline Plan Won't Change Much Locally

For the five boroughs’ 520 miles of shoreline, the City today unveiled a massive combined agenda of 130 different waterfront projects. Despite the initiative’s enormous scope, the Bayside Marina and Fort Totten Park were not singled out for major changes.

The stretch of shore comprising Bayside, Bay Terrace, College Point, Malba, Whitestone, Beechhurst, Douglas Manor and Douglaston will overall be considered by the city for “signage and improving connections between upland neighborhoods and existing publicly accessible waterfront sites,” according to the 190-page plan put forth by City Planning.

In surrounding neighborhoods, the Whitestone Pier will be eyed for restoration and leasing by the City. Alley Creek will receive a new sewer overflow storage facility.

The projects, which Environmental Protection Commissioner Cas Holloway said would cost billions in coming years, would create upwards of 3,400 permanent maritime jobs, and 13,000 temporary construction jobs, according to the City.

The plan’s presenters, Mayor Mike Bloomberg and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, believe it will expand public access to enlivened, destination waterfronts.

It will include measures to improve water quality, help the City adjust to climate change and rising sea levels, and better fend against costal flooding.

Commuter ferry routes will also be developed — though the plan through 2020 does not include water routes from Northeast Queens. Western Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan will be connected by ferry.

 The purchase and development of more than 50 acres of new parks on the water, and 14 esplanades is slated. The City also hopes to reconfigure zoning to usher in 21 new waterfront industrial and housing developments, funded by $150 million in private investments.

“The greatness of New York City grew directly from our connection to our water,” said Quinn, adding  “But at some point in our history, we both literally and figuratively turned our back on the waterfront.   Now we’ve made a decision to more fully embrace the waterfront, in a way that’s both thoughtful and strategic.”

For that reason, said Quinn, the Council passed a law in 2008, requiring the Mayor to create a plan for the waterfront every ten years.

The plan also provisions $50 million for the ecological restoration of wetlands, marshlands and other habitats, namely in the Bronx and Brooklyn.  

Habitats for oysters, fish and other species will also be cultivated.

“New York City has more miles of waterfront than Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, and Portland combined – but for decades, too many neighborhoods have been blocked off from it,” said Bloomberg. “Our waterfront and waterways – what we are calling New York City’s sixth borough – are invaluable assets, and when our work is complete, New York City will again be known as one of the world’s premier waterfront cities.”