Community Corner
Head Of Riverside Park Conservancy Joins Adams Administration
Dan Garodnick, who has led Riverside Park since 2018, was just announced as the new chair of the City Planning Commission.
UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — The organization that runs one of the Upper West Side's largest parks will have a new leader soon as President and CEO of the Riverside Park Conservancy Dan Garodnick was just appointed by Mayor Eric Adams as the new chair of the City Planning Commission.
Garodnick has led the Conservancy since 2018, overseeing major successful fundraising accomplishments and construction projects throughout the park in the three years.
Before joining the Conservancy, Garodnick was the City Council representative for Manhattan's East Side District 4 for 12 years from 2005 to 2017.
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Garodnick was familiar with the UWS before joining the Conservancy, attending Trinity School at 139 West 91st Street when he was a kid.
“I am honored to join Mayor Adams as we plan for a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable future at this critical moment for New York City," Garodnick said in a news release about his new position. "Together, we will work with communities to foster inclusive growth, while welcoming innovation to create meaningful economic opportunities across the five boroughs.”
Find out what's happening in Upper West Sidefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The City Planning Commission might not be a familiar body of the NYC government to all, but the agency plays a massive role in approving or disapproving applications that have to do with housing, business, industry, and transportation in the city.
Rezonings, new buildings, and landmarks are all applications that the City Planning Commission must sign off on for the applications to go further.
Dan Garodnick and Edith Hsu-Chen are tremendously talented public servants with a proven track record of advocating for working people. I am proud to have them join our administration at @NYCPlanning and the City Planning Commission. https://t.co/bapAusxIEJ
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) January 19, 2022
Garodnick's departure leaves the question of who will run the Riverside Park Conservancy, one of the Upper West Side's most important non-elected positions.
The Conservancy has not issued any statement on who his successor will be.
Patch will keep an eye out for any updates on the subject.
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