City Pauses Plans To Replace LIC Ferry Landing, Seeks Alternatives

LONG ISLAND CITY, QUEENS — The city paused its proposal to build a ferry landing terminal on Hunter Point South Park amid local backlash from residents and lawmakers.

The city's Economic Development Corporation, which runs the ferry system, told Patch on Wednesday it is pausing work on the existing proposal and will reconvene with the community once a new plan is set for discussion.

“We are continuing to explore solutions for the Hunters Point South ferry landing renovation and are considering alternative sites,” a spokesperson for the EDC said.

The EDC is planning to demolish the existing ferry dock in Long Island City. The entity proposed constructing a new landing about 100 feet north of its current location, near the oval sports field and the outdoor dining area home to Frank Ottomanelli's.

But the plans have been delayed amid pushback from community members and elected officials, who claimed the proposals to build the new ferry dock lacked feedback from the public.

The Hunters Point Parks Conservancy, for example, is against the construction of the proposed site because it would obstruct a popular community viewpoint toward Manhattan.

Council Member Julie Won, who represents Long Island City, asked the EDC and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is building the new terminal, to extend the community input deadline to Dec. 5 and give members a chance to review the plan.

The EDC said it intends to look throughout Hunters Point Park to determine whether alternative sites are feasible.