NYC waterfront needs a new navigator |
The NYC Economic Development Corp. (EDC) has done a poor job with our city’s marine infrastructure and maritime industries. Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani should end EDC’s control of our waterfront and re-establish a professional maritime planning and management entity as our city has had for most of its history.
In 1991, EDC was created and given a maritime contract to manage and develop the city’s waterfront. EDC is a real estate development entity, and its oversight has resulted in deteriorating marine infrastructure and a diminished maritime industry, which are critical for the city’s future economy, environment, and emergency preparedness.
By 1998, the Manhattan Cruise Terminal’s (MCT) four piers were removed from Hudson River Park and transferred to EDC. In 2008, EDC leased two piers to Vornado Realty for a convention center complex. They operated on Pier 94 but seldom used Pier 92 which a city inspection found unusable in 2019. Vornado claimed EDC was responsible for pier maintenance and stopped paying rent, yet in 2023 was allowed to build a movie studio on Pier 94, despite local community and elected official opposition.
In 2023, EDC committed to improve and electrify Pier 90. However, has delayed electrification and announced a