Maloney seeks urgent repairs after sinkhole
opens up right on East River Esplanade
FILE PHOTO
BY FANNI FRANKL
Following the collapse of a pathway
along the East River Esplanade two
weeks ago, pressure is being put on
the New York City Department of Parks
and Recreation to fully inspect the esplanade’s
structural integrity.
After years of neglect from the city to
repair the waterfront despite inspections,
Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-
12) has had enough. Congresswoman Maloney
called on action from the New York
City Department of Parks and Recreation
Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver in a statement
detailing the urgency of these repairs
to provide for the safety of people.
“Like many NY-12 residents and
members of Community Board 8, I was
disturbed to see a sinkhole erupt in the
middle of a busy pathway along the East
River Esplanade,” she stated. “Not only has
this sinkhole prevented New Yorkers from
accessing this precious green space, but it
has also forced cyclists and pedestrians to
share narrow patches of pavement — creating
a dangerous bottleneck.”
Following this statement, Commissioner
Silver committed to begin repairs on 76th
Street sinkhole within two weeks and complete
them as quickly as possible.
This statement came as a response
to many residents who had expressed
concerns over the worrisome conditions
on the esplanade. According to Jennifer
Ratner, the Board Chair of the Friends of
the East River Esplanade, these issues have
been an ongoing problem for the esplanade,
with no adequate response from the city.
The Friends of the East River Esplanade
are an advocacy group bent on restoring
and reinventing the Esplanade from 60th
to 120th Streets.
“Over ten years our group has been urging
public offi cials to repair and reinvent
the waterfront in the Upper East Side
but things never seem to move forward,”
Ratner said. The timeline for repairs is
forever getting pushed into the future and
even with appropriate funding, they’ll say
that they won’t have the funding.”
Ratner emphasized that the Esplanade is
one of the few places left to go for open space
and that the city is allowing it to deteriorate.
Residents, much like Ratner, remain
skeptical that repairs will be done, especially
since improvements have not really
been made in the East Harlem district even
after the $35 million allocated money was
given towards the East River Esplanade
renovations in 2014.
The design process to renovate the Esplanade
was supposed to start in March of
this year with construction set to begin by
2021, according to the Parks Department.
Congresswoman Maloney hopes to have
a virtual meeting soon with the Park’s commissioner
to discuss these deteriorating
conditions on the Esplanade and the City’s
plans to address them.
Inch toward the ‘old normal’ as Union Square reopens
BY HAZEL SHAHGHOLI
The throbbing heart of downtown, Union Square has
been a hub for shopping, food and general recreation
for decades. During the COVID-19 pandemic
it has been sorely missed by workers, students, tourists
and passers-by.
Now, with appropriate social distancing and mask
wearing mandates, this historic spot and its surrounds
are coming back to life with an array of businesses and
things to do open this weekend:
The Strand
World-famous bookstore The Strand, which has been a
New York staple since 1927, is now open seven days a week
from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Book lovers can enjoy curbside pick-up
and limited indoor shopping. Fed up with mountainous
Amazon book order deliveries and want to support local
businesses? This weekend is the perfect opportunity for
a relaxing browse amongst the shelves. Known for their
extensive inventory, curated collections and expert booksellers,
something new and unexpected might just catch
your eye—plus, who can resist that new-book smell! New
and used copies available across a massive range of genres
and academic specialties!
Union Square GreenMarket
828 Broadway, New York, NY
Tired of fi ghting for a Fresh Direct delivery window?
Get inspired on what to cook for the week with the fresh
fruits and vegetables, and other essentials, at the thankfully
reopened Union Square GreenMarket. Locally sourced
goods are available every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and
Saturday.
Joe Coffee
Every New Yorker has their go-to location for a caffeine
jolt. For many, especially downtown, that’s Joe Coffee
which has now reopened for take-out. Come enjoy their
array of superior beverages and pastries too!
9 E 13th St, New York, NY
L’Express
Nothing says cafe-culture quite like Paris. With international
travel bans unyielding, let L’Express transport you.
Savor delicious French fl avors and the summer air while
outdoor dining at the newly opened restaurant! Pick-up
also available!
249 Park Ave S, New York, NY
Blue Stripes Cacao Shop
Blue Stripes Cacao Shop is available for cacao lovers everywhere.
With unique foods like the Wild Hot Chocolate,
Nutella Swirl Bun or Cacao Fruit Shakes to satisfy your
cravings! Outdoor seating is available to sit down and relax
during consumption.
28 E 13th St, New York, NY
Breads Bakery
Come pick up a picnic basket at Breads Bakery and enjoy
a socially distanced picnic at Union Square Park! The
basket features fruit, crudite, cheese and some sweet treats.
PHOTO VIA INSTAGRAM/@UNSQGREENMARKET
Get your fresh produce, but don’t forget to obey the
rules!
18 E 16th St, New York, NY
Fanni Frankl contributed to this article.
4 August 6, 2020 Schneps Media