The Changing New York City Waterfront
With the launch of NYC Ferry the harbor will once again become more active, just as it once was when New Yorkers commuted between Brooklyn and Manhattan by ferry. Come May 17th-19th this year, the Bay Area Council’s Executive Committee Member Chris Rivielle, Chairman Michael Covarrubias, and CEO Jim Wunderman will visit New York City to discuss “similarities between the Bay Area and New York City, focusing on issues around water transit, housing, transportation, regional planning, and economic development” (Bay Area Council).
With our project of bringing six routes to run over 60 miles connecting the city by the end of 2018, our city will see many economic development opportunities as we revitalize the waterfront and other surrounding areas. For the first time in decades, the ferry system subsidized by the City of New York and the NYCEDC to provide New Yorkers with $2.75 rides, there will again be a robust water transit network on the East River beginning with four routes launching in the summer of 2017.
During the Bay Area Council’s visit, the delegation will visit NYC Ferry to learn more about the restoration initiatives and economic development opportunities to revitalize the waterfront and surrounding areas. In addition to this, we are looking forward to engage with and support organizations working to restore and protect the waterfront through our All Hands on Deck program, where the NYC Ferry team embarks on team outings to assist organizations such as RISE: Rockaway Institute for Sustainable Environment reach their goals.
The NYC Ferry team looks forward to inviting the Bay Area Council onboard to experience our new NYC Ferry system!
