2010 Waterfront Conference presented by the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance

(First in a series on 2010 Waterfront Conference)

"Great news, by way of major re-zoning, we now have new populations living at the water's edge and we will be piloting a new ferry service on the East River" Amanda M. Burden DCP Commissioner

If the energy and excitement of a vibrant port is not motivation enough to learn the key issues with regard to the NY-NJ waterfront, consider this, an MTA study projects over 4 million people from '05-'30 and 3 million jobs, growth rates of 17% and 25%. Those people will need jobs and without water transportation alternatives, they will further burden already aged roads and congested mass transit.

Over the last decade the Port of NYNJ has experienced healthy growth generating thousands of jobs and billions of dollars. Despite the recession, most believe port volume will increase substantially over the next decade. To ensure NYNJ makes the most of this opportunity, changes all along the waterfront are underway. For example, in the past, piers have been built without ballard and cleats! You wouldn’t think something so rudimentary would have to be specified, but experts explain such is the disconnect we have with our port.

Another obstacle, difficulty permitting, for recreational or industrial boats, also deters people from bringing boats to the Big Apple waterfront. Again, “land centric” thinking isn’t going to work so well with the increasing competition from other U.S. and global ports. We have to get with it.

To help us all rewire our brains, the waterfront,“the water trail” or “blue highway” as it has been named, is now being referred to a the 6th borough that's a whole other geography, people and economy - right.

In the time it takes to implement the recently crafted comprehensive plan for the waterfront through the layers of stakeholders, the nearly 400 organisations of the Waterfront Alliance have another strategy underway. Simultaneously, through the masterful dexterity of the WFA, a new generation of kids will all have an experience of New York as a waterfront town.

“Every child on the water” is one of the solutions proposed to ensure all populations understand the city is surrounded by water and we live on islands and peninsulas. As anyone that’s been tutored by a child about recycling and mac apps, this may indeed prove the fastest race to accurate sea level.

With appreciation to the generous conference sponsors who've helped return the port to the public, the public to the water and show us what our waterfront can really be:

Con Edison, New York
New Jersey Harbor Estuary Program,
Entertainment Cruises,
National Parks Conservation Association,
New York Container Terminal,
The Durst Organization,
HDR Engineering,
Hudson River Foundation,
New York City Economic Development Corporation,
New York Shipping Association,
Port Authority of New York – New Jersey,
Statue Cruises,
AKRF,
Bimmy’s Food Made With Love,
Halcrow Group,
McLaren Engineering Group,
MWH Global, and
SF Marina USA.
　
About the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance The Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance works to transform the New York and New Jersey harbor and waterways to make them clean and accessible, a vibrant place to play, learn and work, with great parks, great jobs and great transportation for all.(www.waterfrontalliance.org) Nearly 400 civic, companies, utilities, union locals and more, united to make the New York and New Jersey Metropolitan Waterfront everthing it deserves to be.