79th Street Boat Basin In Riverside To Be Rebuilt After 80 Years

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — The 79th Street Boat Basin is one of the most recognized destinations in Riverside Park on the Upper West Side and it is finally getting a makeover after 80 years.

NYC Parks announced Monday the $90 million resiliency and access project coming to the location. The work will make the Boat Basin more climate-resilient, enable more ecological research and education, and expand access for boaters.

The project is currently in the final design stages and undergoing City Environmental Quality Review and National Environmental Policy Act review. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2023.

“Our waterfront is one of the many things that makes New York City so special, and making it more resilient to climate change is critical,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a news release. “I thank FEMA for their partnership on this project and for helping us secure a safer, more resilient future.”

The de Blasio administration is funding $60.9 million of the project with the other $28.3 million coming from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Parks Department will close the current Boat Basis area in November of 2021 in advance of construction, and all the boats and other vessels will have to leave the marina. Parks will also assist all permittees in relocating their boats and all current permittees will be given priority in returning to the Boat Basin when it does reopen.

Here's a more complete breakdown of what the 79th Street Boat Basin project will address:

"Resiliency

The project will dredge the site and demolish and reconstruct all wooden structures, rebuilding the marina using modern resiliency standards. Failing timber will be replaced with steel and concrete support structures, and the floating dock pilings and dock house structure will be elevated to protect against storm surge.

Ecology

Additional space will be dedicated to visiting educational tall ships, allowing for expanded partnerships with environmental organizations conducting marine-based research and education in the area.

Access

The upgrade will make the facility ADA-accessible for the first time in its over 80-year history. The project will also increase access for seasonal, year-round, and transient boaters by adding additional berths. A new low-freeboard dock for human-powered boating will be incorporated within the marina."