Ferry Landing Planned for East 20th Street

The city is looking to expand existing ferry service on the East River and citywide, including a ferry stop at 20th Street near the FDR Drive. Representatives of the NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC) will present the plan and answer questions at a Tenants Association meeting on Thursday, January 14.

The new stop will be part of the Lower East Side route, with one terminus at East 34th Street and the other at Wall Street/Pier 11. There is another stop at Grand Street. At both terminal points the ferry would connect with other ferry routes to upper Manhattan and the Bronx, and a number of stops in Brooklyn and Queens. The service would be privately operated and paid for by the city and the EDC, and managed by the EDC. (The EDC is not a city agency.)

In July 2015 a presentation was made by EDC to the Waterfront and Land Use Committee of Community Board 6 about the new ferry landing. Since the EDC needs to present to the community most affected, the TA has asked them to do so for us.

How will this affect us?

The EDC needs to explain whether the ferry stop will result in noise and pollution. What effect will the landing have on the storm barrier design? What impact will the landing have on pedestrians and bicyclists in Stuyvesant Cove Park? Will commuting time and costs go up or down? Will ferry passengers crowd local buses?

The Tenants Association is holding an open meeting so that our community can learn more.

Date: Thursday, January 14

Time: 6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.

Place: VA Medical Center atrium conference room, 423 East 23rd Street (east of First Avenue)

What is the timetable?

The East Side route is expected to launch in spring 2018.

At what stage is the project now?

The project is already in motion. The EDC in March asked for proposals for a citywide ferry service operator and is conducting an environmental impact statement (EIS). A draft scope of work has been published, and public comments are being reviewed by the Office of the Deputy Mayor. The next series of public meetings is planned for spring 2016.

The ferry project is independent of the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project, which is intended to protect us from future superstorms.

What is the EDC?

The EDC New York City Economic Development Corporation is a not-for-profit corporation that promotes economic growth across New York City's five boroughs. Established in 1991, “NYCEDC serves as an advocate to the business community by building relationships with companies that allow them to take advantage of New York City’s many opportunities.”