Thread by @ny_indivisible

THREAD: East River Park is one of the largest parks in NYC and serves a vibrant, diversified community of the Lower East Side and East Village, this history is meant as an explainer as to why there is such an uproar about it. #SaveEastRiverPark #blizzard2022

1/

2/ According to Margarita Lopez, CM D2 (1998 - 2006): ERP was closed to be renovated in 2001, flood protection was included. Hurricane Sandy storm surges exceeded what the 2001 protections were designed to withstand. #SaveEastRiverPark #blizzard2022

3/ In 2005, rebuilding was promised with 2 yrs. Delays did not attract much complaint from the neighborhood as it had been closed for so long already. The esplanade was reopened to the public in 2011, 10 years later.
#SaveEastRiverPark #blizzard2022

gothamgazette.com/development/33…

4/ The East River Blueway Plan was actually commissioned before Hurricane Sandy in 2011 at the request of residents and the Dept of City Planning's Comprehensive Waterfront Plan. #SaveEastRiverPark #blizzard2022

urbanomnibus.net/2012/05/the-ea…

5/ The East River Blueway Plan, commissioned by frmr Manhttn BP Stringer & Senator @BrianKavanaghNY w/ CB3, CB6 and the LES @lesecologyctr was completed and presented in 2013 (post Sandy).

#SaveEastRiverPark #BlizzardOf2022

architectmagazine.com/awards/annual-…

6/ The East River Bblueway's goal “a vision of an accessible and dynamic waterfront that also addresses the urgency of climate change and its effects.” Prepared by WXY architecture w/HRA Advisors assisting.

#SaveEastRiverPark #BlizzardOf2022

urbanomnibus.net/2012/05/the-ea…

7/ October 29, 2012 - Hurricane Sandy hit New York City. Article by @HuffPostGreen and video link Captures Explosion At @ConEd Plant That Sends City Into Darkness #SaveEastRiverPark #BlizzardOf2022

huffpost.com/entry/sandy-an…

8/ 2013: Obama launches Rebuild by Design, a nat'l design competition to prepare for future disasters. Architects & community develop a coastal plan-the BIG U-to reduce the risk of climate-change related storm flooding #SaveEastRiverPark #BlizzardOf2022
rebuildbydesign.org/our-work/sandy…

9/ 2014: @HUDgov selects the BIG U as a winner of the competition; allocates $335M to build the 1st section from Montgomery to E 25th, calling it the East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR) project.
#SaveEastRiverPark #BlizzardOf2022
archives.hud.gov/news/2014/pr14…

10/ Also 2014: A Stronger, More Resilient NY: ,"deBlasio & Gov Cuomo, who were both present when HUD announced HUD’s Phase 1 funding in June, have said that they want tangible results within three to four years."
#SaveEastRiverPark #BlizzardOf2022

blogs.law.columbia.edu/climatechange/…

11/ Some Dissent about the plan from Dr. Klaus Jacob research scientist at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University. “Climate Scientist: Manhattan Will Need ‘Venice-Like Canals to Stop Flooding.” #SaveEastRiverPark #BlizzardOf2022

nextcity.org/urbanist-news/…

12/ 2014 –17: The LES community engages in planning w/NYC agencies for redsign. NYC commits to add $425M to the first section: Budget now $760M; includes a berm flood barrier along the FDR & to use East River Pk to absorb storm water.
#SaveEastRiverPark #BlizzardOf2022

13/ MARCH 2018: Community Board 3 commits to endorsing the design for the ESCR project plan if certain adjustments are made. Adjustments include solar and wind lighting, plus more education about resiliency and climate change. #SaveEastRiverPark #BlizzardOf2022

14/ OCT 2018: After 4 years of planning, the @NYCMayorsOffice announces that they are scrapping the approved design for the section of the ESCR project from Montgomery Street to 14th Street.

#SaveEastRiverPark #BlizzardOf2022

15/ OCT 2018 (con't): De Blasio releases essentially current ESCR Plan: Demolishing existing park, dumping 10ft of landfill, filling w/mix of concrete, astroturf & grass; 1000 healthy, 80 year old trees will be destroyed; replaced w/saplings. #SaveEastRiverPark #BlizzardOf2022

16/ Current cost for ESCR project is $1.45 B; DOUBLE the cost of the plan created with community input. Construction will begin in spring 2020 and be completed by 2023. Note: The Esplanade rebuild took 10 years and is 15% the size of park.
#SaveEastRiverPark #BlizzardOf2022

17/ Currently: There is no interim flood protection plan to protect the neighborhood during the years it takes to complete. Whatever remains of ERP will be even more vulnerable to flooding w/o the trees and grass of the park to act as a sponge. #SaveEastRiverPark #BlizzardOf2022

18/ In 2019, ESCR went through the gov't land use review [Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP)], incl. review phases/hearings. The City then presented a NEW version stating 42% would be open at any given time, w/construction ongoing. #SaveEastRiverPark #BlizzardOf2022

19/ JUNE '19: @ERPAction forms. LES residents demand a transparent independent review by scientists, environmentalists, engineers, health experts & tribal leaders. Why is the City is pushing such a destructive, expensive, un-resilient plan. #SaveEastRiverPark #BlizzardOf2022

20/ Oct '19: Independent Outside Review of ESCR:
@CarlinaRivera and then Manhattan BP @galeabrewer commissioned an independent outside review of the ESCR. There are LOTS of huge issues.
#SaveEastRiverPark #BlizzardOf2022

eastriverparkaction.org/report-raises-…

21/ Sept '19: Manhattan BP @galeabrewer & @CarlinaRivera announced the ESCR plan would receive an independent review from 1 expert, Hans Gehrels, an engineer of Deltares, a Dutch engineering firm, to be ready in time for @NYCPlanning vote.
#SaveEastRiverPark #BlizzardOf2022

22/ Votes and Hearings Despite Lack of Review Documents: The Gehrels / Deltares report NEVER ARRIVED, but the @NYCPlanning voted to approve the project anyway. So much for transparency.

#SaveEastRiverPark #BlizzardOf2022

23/ Not long after City Council hearings, it was learned that Deltares had previously secured a contract as part of the City’s $10B FiDi & Seaport Climate Resilience Master Plan; a clear conflict of interest.

#SaveEastRiverPark #BlizzardOf2022

24/ The Deltares report, finally released on Oct. 11
'19, criticized the ESCR on many fronts incl. timelines, air quality, landfill settling, and other environmental and technical issues brought out by elected officials and community members.
#SaveEastRiverPark #BlizzardOf2022

25/ Deltares report states that Gehrels was unable to evaluate the Final Environmental Impact Study bc of **missing documents.** Ncessary technical info wasn't provided. Main takeaway: ESCR would protect the neighborhood for less than 30 years.
#SaveEastRiverPark #BlizzardOf2022

26/ Here is the @NYCCouncil press release that lists the commitments/investments for the ESCR. The City vaguely promises mitigation (alternate park resources), phased construction, communication and transparency. #SaveEastRiverPark #BlizzardOf2022

council.nyc.gov/carlina-rivera…

27/ East River Park to be Buried Under Flimsy Promises. Once the @NYCCouncil passed the ESCR plan, the city has no obligation to do anything on any of those fronts.
#SaveEastRiverPark #BlizzardOf2022

eastriverparkaction.org/2019/11/13/eas…

28/ Jan '21: Responding to a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request filed by @ERPAction NYC denies the existence of Value Engineering Report. NYC had cited the report as the reason for the change in ESCR plans. THE REPORT DOESN'T EXIST.
#SaveEastRiverPark #BlizzardOf2022

29/ March '21: Bids come in for East Side Coastal Resiliency project and after a FOIL appeal for the Value Engineering Report, NYC releases a heavily redacted version. Ok, the REPORT EXISTS, but we still don't know what's in it. Transparency?

#SaveEastRiverPark #BlizzardOf2022

30/ July '21: NYC accepts the low bid; Tully (higher bidder) sues IPC partners (lower bidder) claiming they failed to fulfill bid requirements. Comptroller Stringer refuses to sign contract due to ‘serious unresolved issues.’ deBlasio signs.
#SaveEastRiverPark #BlizzardOf2022

31/ Dec '21: Judgment against @ERPAction results in Temporary Restraining Order being lifted; NYC begins work; ERPA gets a new TRO; NYC disregards new TRO; works 24/7 to destroy as much of the park as possible & kill activists' urge to fight.
#SaveEastRiverPark #BlizzardOf2022

32/ Dec '21: The community tries to get any comment from NYC & NYS Electeds, but nearly all are silent on Environmental Oversight. Below @HarveyforNY AGAIN does not respond to requests for transparency. Crickets.
#SaveEastRiverPark #BlizzardOf2022

https://twitter.com/1000treesNYC/status/1474126479281827846?s=20&t=4uIZNQ0HbVG_xH5ph65uqQ

34/ Former @NYCParks Commissioner Adrian Benepe @BenepeBotanic makes a public statement on the current status of the fiasco ESCR plan.
#SaveEastRiverPark #blizzard2022

https://twitter.com/BenepeBotanic/status/1476239654034845703?s=20&t=4uIZNQ0HbVG_xH5ph65uqQ

35/ The City demolishes The Amphitheater. Built in 1941, it has a loving & inclusive history that NYC residents cherish, hosting @actupny events & celebrations. It is made with asbestos and lead. No environmental oversight. #SaveEastRiverPark #blizzard2022

https://twitter.com/ny_indivisible/status/1476254550436818945?s=20&t=4uIZNQ0HbVG_xH5ph65uqQ

36/ Politicians have enacted a divide and conquer strategy. Pitting the community against itself. This is by design to get us to focus on the fight, rather than the non-transparent ESCR plan or their law breaking. #SaveEastRiverPark #blizzard2022

https://twitter.com/ny_indivisible/status/1469090190337753090?s=20&t=YclNIToK9WNZZ7MoI_e7Ww

37/ Why is this $1.5B NYC ESCR plan such a good deal for real estate? And for the politicians? campaign$$$? We wonder! Where are the kickbacks going?
#SaveEastRiverPark #FollowTheMoney

forbes.com/sites/jeffstee…

38/ "No official construction signs, project descriptions or permits were mounted at the sites. Clouds of dust rose up from the removal of the amphitheater’s aged concrete, behind a flimsy barrier of dilapidated fences and caution tape." #SaveEastRiverPark

https://twitter.com/KensingerNathan/status/1476967710781153280?s=20&t=4uIZNQ0HbVG_xH5ph65uqQ

39/ "Most did not know why the park was being torn down — or that an enormous storm surge barrier was planned to take its place. They also expressed confusion abt why the city would demolish a thriving green space..." Transparency? nah
#SaveEastRiverPark

https://twitter.com/KensingerNathan/status/1476967710781153280?s=20&t=4uIZNQ0HbVG_xH5ph65uqQ

40/ We are URGING NYS Legislators propose legislation IMMEDIATELY that overrides NYS General City Law. So that parks & coastal resiliency isn’t prevented from having input/oversight in your district due to arcane NYC law. #SaveEastRiverPark #blizzard2022

https://twitter.com/ny_indivisible/status/1478453908121047052?s=20&t=4uIZNQ0HbVG_xH5ph65uqQ