CB11 hears East River Esplanade plan shrink
EDC and NYC Parks said $294 million will not rebuild the full 94th–107th Street waterfront, shifting the near-term plan north and leaving key promises unanswered.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — east river esplanade scope reduced as, relocation assistance overview (residential and business), and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
Board members pressed agencies to explain what still gets built, what slips out of reach, and when East Harlem will see answers on the rest.
The waterfront plan got smaller before construction began. EDC and NYC Parks told Manhattan CB11 that the East River Esplanade budget — $294 million — cannot cover the full design for 94th to 107th Street. Instead, agencies described a revised scope centered on 117th to 124th Street, Pier 107, and repairs to sinkholes that have long limited access and raised safety concerns.
That shift set off a broader discussion about what the neighborhood was promised alongside the esplanade work. Board members asked for updates on related commitments, including greenway funding, whether retail space would be viable, what would happen with cultural space, and the status of the community lift. The questions reflected a basic problem: residents and board members had been expecting a larger rebuild, and now want a clearer accounting of what remains in the plan and what does not.
Public comments sharpened that point. Speakers said East Harlem has waited years for a safer, more usable waterfront and criticized the late notice that the project was underfunded. They asked for schedules, cost breakdowns, bathrooms, ADA access, and a plan to secure more money for the missing stretch. Agency representatives said a value engineering process unfolded over several months and that added complexities, including wetlands mitigation requirements, emerged late. They said they would return in September with more detailed answers.
Relocation assistance overview (residential and business) for properties acquired for the project
Near the end of the meeting, MTA staff walked through how relocation help would work for residents and businesses displaced by the project along Second Avenue. Staff said residents would work with a dedicated relocation consultant to identify comparable housing, with attention to apartment size and monthly rent. The program would present options and cover moving expenses, including movers and related assistance.
For businesses, MTA described a similar process with added attention to fixtures and equipment. Staff said the agency would use appraisals for items tied to business operations, including commercial equipment. The goal, they said, is to account for what a business needs to reopen elsewhere, not just the cost of moving boxes.
MTA staff also described rent differential support in some residential cases when a comparable apartment costs more than the current one, depending on factors such as age and income. A follow-up question asked about the largest residential building affected and how many units it contains. Staff did not provide a unit count and said they did not have that detail at hand.
Speakers demand fuller esplanade funding plan
Public commenters and CB11 participants said the reduced esplanade scope leaves East Harlem with the same barriers residents have raised for years. They called for timelines, cost breakdowns, bathrooms, ADA access, and a plan to fund the unfinished stretch before agencies return in September.
high-volume town — capped to top middle items
CB11 and Union Settlement push job fairs
Union Settlement and CB11 promoted upcoming job fair efforts, including a May 8 full board fair and a July 16 construction business resource fair. Members later said one recent fair drew people but ran into timing problems, with some employers leaving early.
Job fairs can connect local residents to work, but timing and employer participation determine whether people actually get useful leads.
DOT maps e-bike battery swap sites
DOT outlined a city program to install about 25 battery swapping cabinets with money from a $25 million grant, including two proposed CB11 sites near East 103rd Street and East 99th Street. The agency said final site selection is expected by the end of the year, with construction in early 2027 and launch in 2028.
large dollar figure ($25,000,000)
Announcement highlights Gibbs funding and June event
An announcement praised Assembly Member Edward Gibbs for town hall outreach and said he secured 1.5 million for the East River Landing development. The speaker also reminded attendees about a Unity Community event on June 20 and urged residents to vote.
large dollar figure ($1,500,000)
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Manhattan Cb11 had 383 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEDistrict Manager’s Report — La Marqueta Grocery Store Announcement, Museum Convening, Housing Lottery, and Office Closure. The district manager reported concerns about how the city-owned grocery store at La Marqueta was presented as collaborative without CB11 consultation, described a community boards convening at the Museum of the City of New York, promoted an affordable housing lottery open until June 16, and noted the office would be closed on Memorial Day.
- GOVERNANCEAgency and Partner Announcements (SBS, MTA, DCWP, EDC, and Union Settlement Introduction). The chair reviewed expected agency participation and outreach, including efforts to connect with SBS and the MTA, and noted EDC would attend the next Executive Committee meeting. Union Settlement introduced a new program manager and shared updates on East Harlem Nights, merchant meetings, DRRI grant timing, and Second Avenue Subway business videos.
- GOVERNANCEUpper Manhattan Empowerment Zone (UMEZ) Update: Lending, Grants, Workforce Development, and Programs (FY 2021–2025). UMEZ staff presented lending and grant activity from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2025, including 447 loans/grants totaling $17,551,000, details on a large bridge loan affecting totals, cultural grants, workforce investments, and remaining pandemic microloan funds.
- GOVERNANCEManhattan Borough President’s Office Report. The Borough President’s office reported on a fatal Inwood fire, upcoming memorial observances, advocacy on the city budget and major infrastructure, immigrant support planning, community board appointments, and upcoming Eid and Jewish Heritage Month events.
- GOVERNANCEConditional Letter of Support for Site Control: 200 East 127th Street Mixed-Use Development. The committee voted to provide a conditional letter of support for site control for a proposed mixed-use development at 200 East 127th Street, including conditions related to community preference family-sized units and restrictions on certain commercial uses. The motion passed unanimously among those present.
- 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.
- GOVERNANCEWorld Cup watch party approved, then targeted for permit letter. A committee approved a June 13, 2026 World Cup watch party tied to Open Streets programming. Later, the committee voted to send a letter saying World Cup watch parties should stop if operating without permits and asking agencies to clarify the permitting rules.
- GOVERNANCEEnvironment / Open Space / Parks Committee — Support Letters for Beauty Justice Act and Dog Waste Bag Dispensers. The board approved a bundled motion to send support letters for (1) New York State Assembly bill 2054 (Beauty Justice Act) and (2) NYC Intro 57-2026 requiring DSNY to install and fill dog waste bag dispensers at public litter baskets. One opposition vote was recorded on the Intro 57-2026 item.
- GOVERNANCEStreet Activity Permit — Johnson local neighborhood safety street event (July 16, 2026) — Second Avenue (exempt). A representative described a participatory budgeting-style process for Johnson Houses residents to allocate $30,000–$50,000 and outlined planned partner services for the street event. Despite concerns about closing Second Avenue, the committee approved; one member stated they would abstain due to the location.
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