New Yorkers Can Voice Concerns About the 'Dryline' Thursday

New York City is getting a "dryline" — a new system to protect the city's coast from flooding, and also a new place to hang and get a tan.

The city is holding a meeting on Thursday for anyone to voice an opinion on one of the projects. There are two main projects for coastal resiliency: the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project and the Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency Project. Together they are set to span from East 25th Street down and around the southern tip of the city. This meeting is going to focus primarily on the Lower Manhattan project, which stretches from the Brooklyn Bridge to Battery Park City.

The flooding situation is urgent surrounding the city, according to several studies. Sea levels have risen by more than one foot since 1900, a report released last year by the city said. Sea levels could rise as high as 50 inches higher than they are today by 2100, according to the same study.

The coastal resiliency planning process has involved residents and designers in trying to create a park that's enjoyable and hip, not just ugly walls that will block water. The different types of flood blockages — pop-up sea walls and berms — are supposed to appear as part of the design of the park, the Observer reported. Construction is set to begin June 2017, the city announced in its comprehensive plan last year.

The project won $108 million in City Capital funding last summer and $176 million in federal funding in January. New York City committed $27 million and still looking for other sources of funding.

Thursday's meeting takes place at Southbridge Towers, 90 Beekman St. from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome, and the announcement says a "light meal" will be provided, as well as translation in Spanish, Cantonese and Mandarin.

Image from Pixabay/CC by 3.0. Rendering courtesy of the city of New York