CIVITAS is a neighborhood non-profit organization dedicated to improving quality of life on the Upper East Side and in East Harlem.

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1 CIVITAS is a neighborhood non-profit organization dedicated to improving quality of life on the Upper East Side and in East Harlem. CIVITAS focuses its efforts on planning, zoning, and environmental issues.

2 Reimagining the Waterfront through a community based planning initiative is a current and on-going planning project. In 2011, CIVITAS sponsored an international design-ideas competition to jump-start a process for envisioning the transformation of the East River Esplanade Over 90 submissions/24 countries/exhibit travels throughout NYC The CIVITAS focus on the Esplanade came at a critical time for the Esplanade a 2013 ARCADIS study revealed the severity of the Esplanade s structural decay and need for significant repairs.

3 In February 2014, CIVITAS, With consultants Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects, launched this study of the East River Esplanade. Goals of the Vision Plan: Raise awareness of the opportunities embedded in the East River Esplanade Study all aspects of feasibility Develop recommendations to guide future planning Identify opportunities for short and long-term improvements Identify funding approaches so that improvements may ultimately be constructed

4 The study area covers the Esplanade between East 60 th and 125 th Streets. It is the product of extensive Research and analysis Combined with an in-depth Community and stakeholder outreach process. The research examined the Experiential, Physical, Ecological, Social, Economic, Geographic, and Hydrologic environment of the Esplanade.

5 The research looked at how this landscape has changed over time as the tributaries and streams that once fed the East and Harlem rivers were slowly filled in and the hardened edge that now defines the edge of the Esplanade evolved.

6 Based on historical maps and reports and the study of reference sites, coastal forests, tidal wetlands, shellfish reefs, and submerged aquatic vegetation beds once existed in this area. They formed a continuum of habitat types along an elevational gradient from estuary to upland. A hard structural edge is characteristic of the entire Esplanade in the present-day and it fosters an abrupt transition from paving and minimal vegetation to open water. This physical transformation has caused a dramatic shift in the structure of the aquatic community. Historic Ecological Conditions

7 Esplanade Structure Typology Vertical bulkheads may provide localized erosion control, but the negative effect on plants and wildlife are well documented, and shallow marine environments were largely destroyed to support shipping. 61 st Street 80 th Street 89 th Street 95 th Street 105 th Street 121 st Street

8 To describe the spatial opportunities and constraints available in any given location the Vision Plan divided the Esplanade into eight segments according to similar characteristics, opportunities, and constraints. The Potential Ecological Edge Segment was identified as one of these locations

9 Much of this section of the Esplanade was constructed on fill material that was placed on top of riparian forests, brackish streams, tidal marsh and shallow littoral areas once teaming with wildlife. Former industrial waterfront activities, increased wave energy, combined sewer outflows, vertical bulkheads and a highway exacerbated the ecological damage wrought by filling and dredging.

10 But the Esplanade from 96 th Street to 125 th Street offers the opportunity to reestablish a coastal ecosystem that existed prior to the industrialization of the waterfront.

11 The Bay and beginning of the Harlem River There is shallow water often less than 6 feet deep - near the shoreline beginning south of 96 th, with this general bathymetric condition extending north through much of the Harlem River.

12 The restoration of an ecological edge along the Manhattan side of the Harlem River would tie into other ongoing local initiatives connecting to the future Southern Phase of Harlem River Park and improved access to Randall s Island. An opportunity exists to reverse ecological damage with a living shoreline Restoring ecosystem function Improving water quality Providing flood protection to adjacent communities

13 CIVITAS is aware that this solution to the deteriorating Esplanade requires research and analysis. CIVITAS has partnered with the Urban Assembly New York Harbor School, The Harbor SEALS, and New York Harbor Foundation to conduct a study that will measure baseline conditions at 3 area sampling sites and, subsequently, test materials and spatial complexity with specially designed and constructed cages for this purpose over the course of 3 years.

14 Sampling Site Locations for East Harlem Ecological Edge Study A CIVITAS/Harbor SEALS Collaboration

15 A Snapshot of Benthic Sampling from the site: Eastern Mud Snails Ilyanassa obsoleta/unidentified Polychaeta

16 More Benthic Sampling: (Below) Colonial Ascidian and sponge on concrete debris pulled from river bed (Above) Polychaetes pulled From river bed

17 The benefit of creating spatial complexity the surface of metal mesh debris found in the river served as the habitat for establishment of benthic organisms

18 Phytoplankton Sampling Centric Diatoms

19 Other Ongoing Sampling: Neuston Tows Physical Chemistry Photo Quadrants

20 The East Harlem Waterfront Edge as it is today:

21 But with imagination and the determination to study the feasibility of different options for a softer shoreline edge

22 and with site-specific designs that establish a comprehensive strategy for restoring this site

23 East Harlem may become home to a restored, soft shoreline that incorporates public access and wetlands for community enjoyment, education, and sustainable stewardship.

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