Testimony of US Sen. Schumer & State Sen. Daniel Squadron re: Allocation of LMDC Funding

Thank you for the opportunity to submit comments to the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC) on proposed amendments to approved Partial Action Plans 3, 10, 12 and the Final Action Plan.

We commend LMDC for its continued support of our push, joined by Community Board 3 and community partners, to build a word class waterfront park at Pier 42. We strongly support the $5 million for Pier 42 proposed in this amendment, building on the $7 million that was previously approved by LMDC in March of 2016.

In total, this will bring investment in Pier 42 to $28 million.

The community has long advocated for a park at Pier 42, particularly through Community Board 3 and the Paths to Pier 42 coalition. The pier is surrounded by affordable and stabilized housing, and will serve a local community that lacks sufficient parks and open space. We have already secured successful interim use and programming in partnership with New York City for the last four seasons. There is a demand for more parks, open space, and active programming in this community. Additionally, it will help grow the emerald ribbon around Manhattan, connecting this community and many others to more great open spaces, and expanding what Senator Squadron calls the Harbor Park, a Central Park for the center of our city.

However, for years the Pier 42 plan languished, and risked being scrapped altogether. That is why, beginning in 2009 Senator Squadron was joined by Senator Schumer in advocating to complete the pier. Throughout this process, LMDC has been a critical part of supporting Pier 42. This is an important continuation of that support.

We also want to commend LMDC for its proposed funding for the West Thames Street Pedestrian Bridge. The Bridge will create an additional pedestrian crossing over West Street and continue to expand pedestrian access in Lower Manhattan.

Though beyond the scope of these allocations, we continue to urge LMDC to take an active role in comprehensive Lower Manhattan storm resiliency. The resurgence of Lower Manhattan continues, and the work of LMDC has helped fuel that growth. Resiliency protection is critical to ensure the tremendous work and investment downtown over the past 15 years is not diminished by future coastal flooding events.

Thank you again for the opportunity to submit comments.