East Side Flood Protection Plan Gets Go-Ahead From City Planning

EAST VILLAGE, NY — A $1.45 billion project that will bury East River Park to protect Manhattan's east side from the effects of climate change won approval from the City Planning Commission on Monday.

The decision sends the de Blasio administration's plan to guard the area from devastation from storms like Superstorm Sandy in 2012 to the City Council for final approval.

"Seven years after Sandy, parts of our city are still recovering from its devastation, including areas that would be protected by this project," commission Chair Marisa Lago said at Monday's review session.

But it met continued opposition from locals angry that it will close East River Park for about three-and-a-half years while construction buries and rebuilds the park about eight feet higher. Protesters held up "NO!" signs as Lago voted yes; she was joined by nine other other commissioners.

Commissioner Allen Cappelli emphasized his concern about water levels rising because of climate change, noting the first day of fall is a sweltering 90 degrees. But he voted against the project, saying he was "disturbed" by the city's "11th-hour" decision to change a previous plan.

"I think that the process that the city engaged in undermines people's faith in government," Cappelli said.

Commissioner Michelle de la Uz abstained, saying she hopes the outstanding neighborhood concerns are addressed at City Council in the next steps of the review process, known as the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure.

Commissioners cited the potential harm from climate change in approving the plan despite locals' criticisms that the design requires demolishing the East River Park's ballfields, open space, esplanade, barbecue areas and hundreds of trees.

Hundreds of people protested the project on Saturday, holding a mock funeral for East River Park as summer comes to a close, the New York Post reported.

"At the end of the day, I do think the issue of climate change is really too real and too immediate and is right upon us," Commissioner Larisa Ortiz said in voting 'yes' for the proposal, pointing out the thousands of people who marched for climate action last week.

City officials have said the plan, compared to a previous version that was overhauled last fall, would protect the park itself from becoming unusable as sea levels rise. It also avoids extensive FDR Drive closures and would reduce construction impacts since equipment could be transported by barges to the park, officials have said.

The project — dubbed East Side Coastal Resiliency — is currently undergoing a third-party review by a Dutch consultant hired by Borough President Gale Brewer and Councilmember Carlina Rivera. The report is expected to be completed sometime this week, Brewer's office said Monday. Then, the project will be heard at a City Council hearing.

The City Planning Commission's vote arrived as Climate Week began at the United Nations, Lago noted. She said the decision to approve the project was "not a decision made lightly" because of how long the park would be closed.

The planning boss said her decision was heavily dependent on the city's commitment to mitigate the loss of amenities such as open space and bike routes during construction.

"East River Park is not only a place for active and passive recreation, but also a central gathering space for the community," Lago said. "The public who testified in July [at the planning commission's public hearing] made it clear that this park is not just open space but, for many, a respite from the busy-ness of the city, a place where community groups and families gather, and a place for learning and exploration."