At Pier 42 Park, a New Shed Takes Shape

The first real park progress is now visible on the Pier 42 waterfront. The bones of a new structure.

Extracting the rusty riverside shed from its longtime mooring last fall was Phase 1A. The second part of Phase 1 includes new infrastructure designed by Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects – comfort station (aka toilets) and a children’s playground.

Construction of the replacement shed currently in view wasn’t initially included in plans for this second half of the first phase. Rather, it was previously communicated as part of Phase 2.

Revival of the languishing capital works project is owed largely to an additional $14 million in federal funding via the Lower Manhattan Development Corp. (totaling $26 million).

As previously reported, the Pier 42 park concept has been on the boards for nearly seven years with little to show for it. Of course, there is now a bit of uncertainty in the air thanks to the city’s sudden decision to upend the long-established plan for a flood barrier along the East River.

The Parks subcommittee of Community Board 3 is set to hear updates about Pier 42 at their meeting tonight, 30 Delancey Street, 6:30pm.

The new Pier 42, Photo: Parks Department