Agencies outline esplanade delays and major funding gap
EDC and NYC Parks said work is active in parts of the East River Esplanade, but key Manhattan Waterfront Greenway segments still lack money, including an estimated $500 million stretch.
Two hosts walk through the week’s edition in conversation — agencies detail east river esplanade project, resignation noted, and what’s coming next. Generated by Aware, from this week’s verified summaries.
Board members and advocates pressed the agencies on delays, accountability, construction limits, and when the city will close a funding gap that still has no clear timeline.
The riverfront plan still has a long way to go. At Manhattan Community Board 11’s Executive Committee, EDC and NYC Parks gave an update on the East River Esplanade and Manhattan Waterfront Greenway, laying out a mix of active construction, upcoming bids, interim repairs, and major unfinished pieces. The broad picture was clear: some work is moving, but large sections remain unresolved.
The sharpest concern was money. Board members and advocates focused on the gap between the work already underway and the bigger buildout still waiting for funding. One segment alone was estimated at $500 million, and the agencies did not offer a clear timeline for how that gap would be closed. Members pressed for accountability and asked who would be responsible for keeping the project on track as costs, schedules, and construction limits continue to shape what can be built.
The discussion turned on what residents can expect next. Agencies described interim repairs and upcoming bids as near-term steps, while acknowledging that the full waterfront vision depends on funding that is not yet in place. For now, the project sits in two phases at once: visible work in some areas, and unanswered questions over when the largest missing pieces will move from plan to contract.
Resignation Noted: Carl Theos; Due Process Initiation Noted as Previously Passed (June 18)
The board recorded a resignation without taking a new vote. The chair said Carl Theos had submitted a resignation, but the board did not ratify it because it had been sent to the Borough President’s office. The chair called ratification a moot point.
The same update tied the resignation to an earlier board action. The chair said a June 18 motion had already passed directing the Board Oversight Committee to initiate due process. In the chair’s telling, that step was already complete in the record.
What happened here was less a fresh decision than a clarification for the minutes. No additional vote was recorded on either the resignation note or the reference to the June 18 motion. The chair presented both as information explaining how the current meeting fit with action the board had already taken.
Parent asks when Aguilar Library reopens
A parent and CB11 member used public comment to ask for an updated reopening timeline for Aguilar Library near 110th Street and Third Avenue/Lexington. The speaker said the long closure has cut off homework help and book access for their children, and asked the board to press elected officials and include money in budget support.
Parent described Aguilar Library closure hurting children's homework help and book access, urging reopening pressure.
Board revises attendance and disability rules
Members worked through how to count attendance across board and committee meetings, including late arrivals, camera requirements, disability exceptions, and who keeps the records. They approved a new qualified disability form procedure, discussed corrections to minutes and grievances, and said quarterly reviews are set to begin in December.
These rules determine who can participate remotely, how absences are counted, and when members face formal review or removal.
Budget deadline prompts housing funding questions
The chair told committees their district needs submissions were due immediately and said participation had been limited. During public comment, a resident asked for funding to continue a long-running HPD-related rehabilitation program, and the chair said HPD would be invited to an October meeting for clarification.
Budget requests shape which neighborhood projects and housing needs the city may fund next year.
Board promotes park, pantry, school events
Board leaders used announcements to push several upcoming community events, including a Party in the Park on Sunday at 12:00 and the weekly food pantry every Sunday at 11:00 a.m. Members also highlighted a back-to-school event at PS 007 on September 26 at noon, with book bags and other items to be given away.
Announced upcoming Party in the Park, food pantry, and September 26 back-to-school event.
- Manhattan Community Board 11 (CB11) Executive Committee. A parent and CB11 member testified about the prolonged closure of the Aguilar Library near 110th Street and Third/Lexington, describing impacts on children’s homework support and access to books, and asked for pressure on elected officials and budget support to reopen the library.
What we didn’t fit in this Sundays edition
Manhattan Cb11 had 20 more items this week. Here are sixfour — the rest are on Aware.
- GOVERNANCEAnnouncement: District Legislative Breakfast (October 29, 9:00 a.m.). An announcement was made for a district legislative breakfast on October 29 at 9:00 a.m. at the Boys Club, with the location given as 111th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenue. Members were encouraged to attend.
- GOVERNANCEBoard approves $500 for Marcus Garvey Park event with condition. The Executive Committee approved a $500 allocation for an October 10 Marcus Garvey Park landmarking-related event. It then amended the motion to require that CB11 be allowed to participate in the program and provide speakers.
- GOVERNANCEMayor’s Office of Community Affairs / Mass Engagement Update (Vision Zero and Tenant Organizing Campaign). A representative from the Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs/Mass Engagement provided updates on Vision Zero Reimagined and a tenant organizing campaign, described the office’s mission, and answered questions about engagement with CB11 leadership and coordination with other city agencies.
- GOVERNANCEDiscussion: Increasing Committee Action Items (Letters, Legislation Support, and Ongoing Advocacy). The Chair urged committees to include regular action-oriented work such as letters of support, legislative advocacy, and budget-related follow-through, citing an example of a proposed “200 foot rule” liquor license exemption pilot related to Second Avenue Subway impacts.
- GOVERNANCEAttendance review triggers due process and one removal. The board reviewed full-board and committee attendance, identified several members who appeared to meet absence thresholds, and voted to start due process for Jason Villanueva, Ny Whitaker, James Kemp, Annmarie Basquez, and Samantha. In executive session, the board also voted to remove Dor under attendance-related removal procedures.
- GOVERNANCEAdoption of Prior Meeting Minutes (July Executive Committee Meeting). The Chair asked for objections to adopting the July meeting minutes, which had been distributed in advance. With no objections, the minutes were adopted.
- GOVERNANCEAdoption of Agenda. The Chair presented the evening’s agenda, noting it had been distributed and posted online. With no objections raised, the agenda was adopted.
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