Carl Schurz Park Gets $2.78M Following Budget Deal: UES Reps

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — The city (finally) passed a new budget last week, and while many are still figuring out the details, one thing is for sure: the two Upper East Side Council Members were fruitful in their quest for discretionary funds.

Council Members Julie Menin and Keith Powers said they are bringing over $35 million in city money to the neighborhood, spreading the cash between many needs, including schools, parks, playgrounds, sanitation and transit.

Carl Schurz Park gets the most money, with $2.78 million going towards reconstructing the hockey, basketball and pickleball courts.

The pickleball courts were redone this spring, leaving the adjacent basketball courts untouched and in their original derelict condition.

In both Menin's District 5 and Powers' District 4, each public schools will be given at least $50,000 to be used for critical technology, auditorium or infrastructure upgrades.

“I am thrilled to secure this vital funding for our district that we deserve as a part of this great city," said Menin. "Our parks, schools, libraries, hospitals, community centers, public housing, and streets will now receive much-needed support and investment. We are excited for the future of the East Side of Manhattan, and the impact of these projects will be felt for generations to come."

“Funding neighborhood upgrades and community organizations is one of the most important aspects of the job," said City Council Majority Leader Powers. "I am pleased to have secured millions of dollars that will benefit Manhattan's East Side and make our neighborhoods an even better place to call home."

The other top-line projects include $2.2 million for lights and upgrades for the courts and playgrounds at 24 Sycamores Park, where a new comfort station just opened in 2021 after a $1.7 million reconstruction, and $2.5 million for the 92nd Street Y's art center.

The East 79th Street crosstown bus will get $350,000 for bus lane improvements.

Additionally, $2.1 million will go to the Central Park Conservancy for the Harlem Meer renovations, $2 million for technology upgrades at the Julia Richman Education Complex, $1.03 million for P.S. 77/P.S. 198 schools to refurbish classrooms auditoriums, and security camera installation, $800,000 for technology and gymnasium upgrades for M.S. 225 and $950,000 to modernize the nursing station and third floor atrium at Coler Hospital on Roosevelt Island.

Upper East Side cultural institutions made off with the biggest haul, with over $12 million going towards improvements to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggenheim Museum and the Park Avenue Armory.

And $4.5 million will also be directed to local non-profit groups, like Asphalt Green, Carnegie Hill Neighbors, Carter Burden Center, East 86th Street Association, Friends of the East River Esplanade, Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, NYCHA's Isaacs Center and more.

The city passed a historic $107 billion budget right before the fiscal deadline on Friday.