NEW YORK – On January 31, Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), Founder and Co-Chair of the East River Esplanade Task Force, joined local elected officials and community leaders to applaud Mayor Bill de Blasio and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Mitchell Silver’s $284 million commitment for East River Esplanade repairs. The East River Esplanade has endured a series of sinkhole collapses and disrepair issues that the Congresswoman has worked to address in concert with city officials.

“With New Yorkers doing our part to mask up and social distance to prevent the spread the COVID-19, our open, outdoor spaces have become an even more precious commodity – and one that we cannot take for granted,” said Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12). “The East River Esplanade has provided space for children to play, for athletes to bike and run, and a respite for New Yorkers stuck indoors. Even before COVID, those of us on the Upper East Side and in East Harlem felt the strain of living with some of the least park space per capita in the City. Now, with sections of the Esplanade fenced off due to sinkholes and other unsafe conditions, we have even less outdoor space. That is why the $284 million that the Mayor and Parks Department have committed to Esplanade repairs is so important.”

"Today we are proud to announce the planned transformation and revitalization of the East Harlem portion of the esplanade to fully realize the esplanade's potential," said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. "The announcement of the Mayor's multimillion-dollar investment will improve the quality of life of East Harlem and contributes to the greening of the waterfront on the island of Manhattan. I commend Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney and Council Member Ben Kallos, co-chairs of the East River Esplanade Task Force for their leadership on this issue, and Mayor de Blasio and Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver for their commitment to repairing the East River Esplanade."

“The restoration of the East River Esplanade and a new Pier 107 will finally arrive for the people of East Harlem. This is tremendously good news – as we’ve seen waterfronts across the city become beloved and open greenspaces, East Harlem will no longer remain in the dark about the future of its one and only Pier. Instead, East Harlemnites are assured that their working-class community is as deserving of a beautiful waterfront as anywhere else.”

“I’m grateful for Mayor de Blasio’s commitment to address the environmental inequities that has kept so much green space away from our communities — and this couldn’t have been possible without all of the hard work and support from Congresswoman Maloney, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Friends of the East River Esplanade, and our City Council and State colleagues. The new Pier 107, surrounded by a new waterfront, will stand for generations,” said Assemblymember Robert J. Rodriguez.

"An investment in the East River Esplanade is an investment in our neighborhood's future," said Council Member Ben Kallos. "After years of working and pushing to get additional funding to rehabilitate our beloved riverside space alongside Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney and the East River Esplanade Taskforce we have finally secured the funds to fix dozens of blocks beginning in the east 90s all the way up through the east 120s. Once the area is restored it will be a huge benefit to residents who will be able to enjoy this beautiful natural resource once again. Thank you to Assembly Member Rodiguez and Council Member Ayala for the work they have done in pushing for this and to Mayor de Blasio for setting the money aside and making this a priority."

"Manhattan Community Board 8 is thrilled to join our esteemed elected leaders and waterfront advocates in celebrating the $284 million investment in the East River Esplanade,” said Russell Squire, Community Board 8 Chair and Tricia Shimamura, Community Board 8 First Vice Chair and Parks and Waterfront Committee Co-Chair. “The Esplanade is more than just open space for our community- it is a critical piece of waterfront infrastructure that protects our residents, schools, hospitals, and FDR drive. Now more than ever, the preservation of our open spaces is crucial, and we applaud the City for making this critical investment. We look forward to continuing to work with our elected officials and fellow advocates for the future of our waterfront."