Randall’s Island Connector (RIC) project

April 30, 2008

Mayor Michael Bloomberg
City Hall
New York, NY 10007

Seth W. Pinsky, President
NYC Economic Development Corporation
110 William Street
New York, NY 10038

Hello,

We are writing to encourage the swift implementation of the entire South Bronx Greenway and to draw your attention to a particular concern regarding the Randall’s Island Connector (RIC) project.

We understand that the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) is seeking a Consultant to create schematic designs, design development and construction documents for the Randall’s Island Connector (RIC) project to build an at-grade bicycle/pedestrian pathway extending south of 132nd Street in the Bronx (underneath an existing Amtrak trestle) across the Bronx Kill into Randall’s Island. We know this is part of the larger South Bronx Greenway Master Plan with funding provided through Federal Highway Administration Funds.

We appreciate that Randall’s Island is an enormous park resource for all New Yorkers, and that this initiative to increase bike, pedestrian and skater access will do much to allay concerns in adjacent neighborhoods for the equitable use of passive and active recreational space.

However, the unique design feature that MUST be included in any finally approved design schematic is one that will allow on-water continuity along the Bronx Kill between the East and Harlem Rivers under the proposed connector. In order to permit the safe passage of human-powered craft, including kayaks, canoes and rowing vessels, the connector over the waterway will need to provide at least six vertical feet of clearance at maximum high tide as well as a horizontal span of at least 20 feet between any supporting structures. A navigable passage through the Bronx Kill is essential for the development of safe recreational boating in New York harbor and ongoing paddling and rowing programs, as well as the NYC Parks Water Trail, could be jeopardized without taking this into account.

We look forward to working with you to ensure that a satisfactory design is the outcome of a process sensitive to the diverse array of stakeholders eager to participate in the success of this initiative. Please respond in writing at your earliest convenience to the list below.

Sincerely, Complete List on Page 2

Randall’s Island Connector (RIC) project Letter Page 2.

Signatories:


Ludger K. Balan
Executive Director, The Urban Divers Estaury Conservancy
641 Henry Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231

Harry J. Bubbins
Director, Friends of Brook Park
PO Box 801
The Bronx, NY 10454

Rob Buchanan
Assistant Professor, Eugene Lang College
65 West 11th Street, Room 068
New York, NY 10011

Tim Gamble
Red Hook Boaters, Volunteer Coordinator
P.O. Box 24403, Brooklyn, NY 11202-4403

Mark Handy
Secretary, Inwood Canoe Club
P.O. Box 562
New York, NY 10034

Jeremy Hooper
Downtown Boathouse Inc.
West Village Station Box 20214
NY NY 10014

ADDED:

Erik Baard
Founder and Chair
LIC Community Boathouse
4120 29th Street 4A
LIC, NY 11101

Joel Kupferman, Esq.
Director, NYC Environmental Law & Justice Project
351 Broadway, #400
New York, NY 10013-3902

Caroline Samponaro
Transportation Alternatives
127 W. 26th St., Suite 1000
New York, NY 10001-6808

Geoffrey Croft - president
NYC Park Advocates
222 East 93rd Street
New York, NY 10128 - Suite 40H

Marina Ortiz, Founder and President
East Harlem Preservation
1622 Madison Avenue #5A
New York, NY 10029

Bronx Kill Navigational Survey, with Professor Rob Buchanan of The New School

On April 12, I biked up to Randall’s Island to take a look at the Bronx Kill, the short, narrow strait that connects the Harlem and the East Rivers. I’d heard conflicting reports about how easily small boats could negotiate it, and in particular about one extremely low bridge at the east end, under the railroad trestle. I was curious: a navigable Bronx Kill could be a great thing for human-powered boaters--a shortcut around Hell Gate, and a cool, protected inside passage from one side of the Bronx to the other.

When I got to the island, about 12:30, the tide seemed to be dead low (for reference purposes, low water at the Battery that morning was 8:46 am). At the eastern end, in fact, it was almost completely dry, with just a trickle of water running out under the aforementioned bridge--which, as it turned out, was not exactly a bridge but a twin set of arching concrete beams. Beneath the beams (which apparently carry electrical lines) there was the usual assortment of slimy rocks and old tires, and about five feet of headroom.

In short, at low water, the Bronx Kill seems to be more or less unboatable. But what about high tide?

Read the rest of this account, with stunning photos, and Professor Buchanan's harbor and river adventures at: Bronx Kill Adventure