Revitalizing the East River Waterfront in Lower Manhattan

The East River waterfront in lower Manhattan is the birthplace of modern New York City, and an area where the city’s famous financial industry mixes with major tourist sites and a rapidly growing residential area. Past efforts to redevelop this area relying on large-scale retail development at the South Street Seaport and Pier 17 have largely been unsuccessful. However, the imminent departure of the Fulton Street Fish Market, the recent sale of Pier 17 to a new owner and the continued growth of the residential population, present an opportunity to develop a new plan for the community that revitalizes the area to better serve the needs of residents, visitors and daytime workers. The Capstone team lays out a strategy on three key fronts: increasing access to the waterfront from upland locations and along the East River through a combination of transportation improvements; redeveloping areas of the Fulton Street Fish Market and Seaport areas with artist residences, galleries and other cultural facilities; and reorganizing and developing open space areas for passive and recreational activities.

This Capstone was made possible with the support from an anonymous donor through FJC: A Donor-Advised Fund.