City Seeks Bids On East Harlem Greenway Extension

EAST HARLEM, NY — The city is putting together a consulting team for its plan to fill in a seven-gap block of the East River Esplanade in East Harlem and is seeking bids from engineers and landscape architects.

The city Economic Development Corporation released a request for proposals for the greenway extension project this week. The consulting team the city hires will eventually be responsible for "preparing all analyses, surveys, designs, permit applications and related documents for the development of a portion of the Manhattan Greenway," according to the request for proposals.

"Improving access to our city’s waterfront is a critical part of our work to strengthen neighborhoods and improve the quality of life for New Yorkers," an EDC spokesperson said in a statement. "This is an exciting first step toward closing the loop to create a contiguous 32-mile Manhattan Waterfront Greenway."

The winning bid will be selected based on factors such as the quality of proposals, the experience level of key staff identified in proposals, the experience of subcontractors identified in proposals and a track record of success on similar projects. Submissions will be accepted until Sept. 28, according to the request for proposals.

The city announced in late 2017 it will invest $101 million for a seven-acre park featuring riverfront pedestrian and bike pathways will be constructed between East 125th and East 132nd streets, filling in a missing portion of the East River Esplanade, as part of the East Harlem rezoning plan. The rezoning supplemented an existing $18 million investment with an addition $83 million in funding.

The city is also committing $15 million toward repairs on an existing segment of the East River Esplanade that stretches from East 96th to 125th streets.

Construction on the greenway extension is expected to begin after a current project to repair parts of the Harlem River Drive ends in 2020, officials said in December. The project is expected to be complete by 2023.

Rendering courtesy New York City Mayor's Office