CB11 hears East River Esplanade plan shrink
A $294 million budget will no longer cover the full East River Esplanade rebuild once envisioned from 94th to 107th Street.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — east river esplanade funding shortfall and, mta outlines relocation and responds to, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
The city’s revised plan keeps work moving farther north, but board members and residents said the unanswered questions now are cost, timing, access, and what gets left behind.
The map got shorter, and the questions got sharper. EDC and NYC Parks told Manhattan CB11 that the East River Esplanade project’s $294 million budget cannot deliver the full scope once planned for 94th–107th Street. Instead, the agencies described a reduced plan centered on 117th–124th Street, Pier 107, and sinkhole repairs.
That shift drew pushback from board members and residents, who said the cutback leaves too much uncertainty around a long-discussed public project. They pressed the agencies for timelines, cost details, accessibility improvements, and a clearer explanation of how the city decided what would stay in and what would fall out. The discussion focused less on whether repairs are needed than on how much work the current funding can actually buy.
What comes next is still unsettled. Residents and board members urged the city to find more funding and to spell out when the revised pieces would begin and finish. They also pushed for accessibility to stay part of the plan, not an afterthought, as the project moves ahead in a smaller footprint than many in the neighborhood expected.
MTA outlines relocation and responds to construction impacts
The construction questions are getting more specific. MTA staff told Manhattan CB11 that residents and businesses displaced by the project may qualify for relocation help, including moving costs and possible rent differential payments.
That explanation came alongside a longer list of worries about what construction will do before any relocation happens. Board members and residents raised concerns about school safety, blasting, rats, dust, access, parking, and flooding. The agency described planned responses, aiming to show that those impacts are being tracked rather than left to chance.
The exchange showed where this project now meets daily life. For neighbors, the issue is not only the final transit upgrade but how people get through the work safely and how businesses stay reachable while it happens. CB11’s discussion kept the focus on mitigation measures residents can see and use during construction, not just promises tied to the finished project.
Speakers detail subway construction toll
At a public hearing, residents and small-business advocates said Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 construction is already hurting stores, access, safety, and daily life. They pointed to dark blocks, debris, blocked entrances, ADA and bus stop problems, overnight noise, and weak notice, then asked for immediate fixes and stronger advocacy.
high-volume town — capped to top middle items
Members press agencies on old promises
Committee members pushed EDC and HPD on the long-promised $10 million community lift, retail leasing questions, and cultural space commitments. The discussion widened to other neighborhood promises too, including greenway funding and park work that members said has been delayed.
large dollar figure ($10,000,000)
CB11 backs Union Settlement job fair
The committee agreed to support a construction business job resource fair at Union Settlement on Thursday, July 16, from 4:00–7:00 p.m. Members said the event should be sponsored or co-sponsored by CB11 and included in the board newsletter.
litigation
Committee backs conditions for 127th Street site
The Executive Committee voted to send a conditional letter of support for site control at 200 East 127th Street. Members attached conditions on family-sized community preference units and limits on certain commercial uses, and the matter now heads to the full board.
Conditionally backed site control for 200 East 127th Street mixed-use project with family-unit and commercial-use conditions.
- Manhattan CB11 Executive Committee. Multiple public speakers and CB11 participants criticized the reduction in scope for the East River Esplanade project, citing long-standing neglect in East Harlem, safety and accessibility barriers, lack of bathrooms, and concerns about government inefficiency and accountability. Agencies were urged to provide schedules, cost breakdowns, and a plan to secure additional funding.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Manhattan Cb11 had 56 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEBoard debates unpermitted World Cup watch parties on 100th Street. After extensive public debate over Open Streets and World Cup watch parties on 100th Street, the committee voted to send a letter saying the events should stop if they are operating without permits and asking agencies to clarify permitting. Speakers split over noise, alcohol, emergency access, and fairness versus community benefits and small-business support.
- GOVERNANCEMotion to Send Letter Opposing/Commenting on 1800 Park Avenue Tax Credit Extension Process. The committee voted to send a letter stating the board’s position regarding Assembly bill 1561 and the extension of tax credits for 1800 Park Avenue, citing concerns about bypassing CB11 input and the developer’s ability to minimize affordability and avoid prevailing wages. The motion passed.
- GOVERNANCEAnnouncement: Community Education Council District 4 Meeting and District Planning Tour. A CB11 member announced an upcoming Community Education Council District 4 district planning tour meeting on August 12 (hybrid), encouraging public participation on school building changes, low enrollment, charter school closures, and special education programming.
- GOVERNANCEOpening Announcements and Community Event Notices. Committee members and participants shared announcements about food pantries, a community garden visit, a back-to-school carnival, school waitlist concerns, and NYPD community events including “Pizza with Police” and National Night Out.
- GOVERNANCETwo Mexican Independence Day street festival requests denied. The committee denied two separate Mexican Independence Day festival street closure requests on East 116th Street for September 2026. Discussion focused on repeated closures, traffic and bus impacts, business concerns, competing events, and community division.
- GOVERNANCESantina Harlem LLC (referred to as Cantina Harlem LLC) — New application for full liquor license, 355 East 116th Street (First Avenue). The committee considered a new full liquor license application for a restaurant at 355 East 116th Street. After discussion about responsible party contact information, music, and hours, the committee approved with stipulations including no DJs/live music and reduced weekday closing hours; the vote carried with opposition and an abstention.
- GOVERNANCERemarks from the Democratic Nominee for Congress (13th Congressional District). The Democratic nominee for Congress addressed the committee about representation for working-class communities, housing, education funding, immigration justice, and public housing reinvestment, and answered questions on school funding and NYCHA repairs.
- GOVERNANCEBundled vote on liquor license items (denial) including Step Step Tacos/Step Step Taqueria, Cafe Antwerp, and Arena Latina Bar & Grill. The committee bundled multiple liquor license-related items and voted to deny them as a group. The motion passed unanimously.
- GOVERNANCERequest for Letter of Support: Caribbean Cultural Institute / African Diaspora Funding Appeal (Discussion Only; No Action Taken). The committee discussed a last-minute request to support an appeal for approximately $94,000 after a late application. Members questioned whether a letter was needed and noted information that the funding issue may already have been resolved; no motion was adopted.
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