Groups Propose East River Improvement Projects

The southern tip of what was once known as Welfare Island could one day be a memorial to the president it is now named for, Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

“We are now in the process of fundraising to complete the piece, which is the three acres at the very tip of the island,” says FDR Memorial executive director Gina Pollara.

The memorial and an adjacent park are just two of many recommendations in the East River Agenda proposed by the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance, along with the Municipal Art Society, seeking greater public access and, of course, a cleaner river.

“For generations, people sailed and rowed and swam and picnicked as well as earned their livings off the river, but as we industrialized in the late 19th century and early 20th century, we sealed all that off,” says Kent Barwick of the Municipal Arts Society.

More than 50 groups from across the five boroughs are on board and support this agenda, from canoe and rowing clubs, to environmental advocates and fishermen.

On Thursday NY1 was treated to a tour of the east river waterfront to see the potential of places like the old Domino sugar plant and the east side of Manhattan.

“We’ve come a long way in the last ten years I think we can go a lot more in the next 20, 25 years,” says Linda Cox of the River Alliance.

A chief recommendation on the agenda is keeping communities involved in development decisions, especially with the recent boom in residential development on the shoreline.

“There should be housing – there will be housing on the waterfront – but let’s make it diverse and open to all New Yorkers,” says Roland Lewis of the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance.

And how about this for a goal: the return of swimming in the East River?

“You can swim in the East River in some parts on some days. We want that more,” says Lewis.

But there is still a lot of work that needs to be done.

– Roger Clark

NY1