Downtown Grants Include Completion of Tribeca Section of River Park
The $30-million project to complete Pier 26, at right, and the upland area between Piers 26 and 25, center, will be possible with the $10-million grant from the LMDC. The project includes the construction of pier decking and a river research building and landscaping. Photo: Carl Glassman/Tribeca Trib
Fourteen Downtown projects, from a free senior swim program to a new playground in The Battery to the completion of the Tribeca section of Hudson River Park, will share in a $50 million grant allocation from the Lower Manhattan Development Corp.
The money comes from the LMDC’s litigation settlement with Lend Lease (formerly Bovis Lend Lease) over the company’s deconstruction and asbestos abatement of the former Deutsche Bank Building at 130 Liberty St. A fire in the building in 2007 that killed two firefighters and injured more than 100 others.
A three-person working group evaluated the proposals: Community Board 1 Chair Catherine McVay Hughes; Alexis Offen, vice president for real estate development at the Empire State Development Corp.; and Peter Wertheim, the city’s deputy mayor for Housing and Economic Development.
Below is a description of the grants to the nine projects that are below Canal Street and within Lower Manhattan’s Community District 1.
Hudson River Park Trust for the Tribeca section of the park: $10 million
The Tribeca portion of Hudson River Park can now be completed. At a total cost of $30 million, the project includes the construction of the “unfinished areas of Pier 26, the platform between Piers 25 and 26, and the upland park area adding a new deck, landscaping and a new estuarium,” according to the LMDC. The city and Citigroup, whose building is across the street, have each pledged $10 million to the project. The Tribeca piers are part of the park’s Segment 3, which runs from Chambers Street to Houston Street.
The Battery Conservancy for PlayScape: $6 million
The funds will support the construction of a new and expanded playground, called PlayScape, at The Battery. The new design expands the footprint of an existing playground, built in the 1950s, to 60,000 square feet.
NYC Economic Development Corp. for Brooklyn Bridge Beach: $5 million
The project includes paving and curb construction and “site furnishings,” while creating “limited beach access” near the Brooklyn Bridge. The “beach” is now a garbage strewn stretch of sand tucked between the East River and the East River Esplanade. This money is in addition to $7 million pledged by the City Council and Manhattan Borough President’s office.
The South Street Seaport Museum for a new community facility: $4.8 million
The museum requested funding for a new 11,000-square-foot Educational Community Center at the Thompson warehouse, 213-215 Water St., to include the installation of an elevator, electrical outfitting, lighting, HVAC, fire safety, and security systems. The center would help support the museum's programs and exhibitions, according to the LMDC, “and provide flexible multi-use programmable community spaces.” The museum already has secured $2.6 million from FEMA and $1 million from the city for the project, which is expected to cost $8.4 million.
The Flea Theater for its new building: $2.5 million
The Flea, now located on White Street, requested funding to support the construction of its new $21 million theater at 20 Thomas St. According to the LMDC, the Flea has received $7.5 million in private funding and more than $10 million from the city and state. The theater is expected to open this year.
The National 9/11 Memorial and Museum for the Tribute in Light: $700,000.
The twin beams of light that annually shine four miles skyward will be able to continue for the next two years.
Manhattan Youth for youth and senior programming: $500,000
Two years of support for the Tribeca-based organization’s after-school programs and free senior swim programs will be supported by the grant.
Alliance for Downtown New York, Inc. for LMHQ: $300,000
This funding will go towards reducing the startup costs, through a rent subsidy, for the Lower Manhattan Headquarters (LMHQ), a 14,000 square-foot office space at 150 Broadway. LMHQ opened in June 2015 as a below-market-rate meeting space for “members of the creative, tech, non-profit, civic and marketing communities in Lower Manhattan.”
The Downtown Boathouse for kayaks: $15,000
The boathouse, located on Pier 26 in Tribeca, will use the money to buy 25 new kayaks.