$348M In Repair Funding Is Coming To Riverside Park On The UWS

Upper West Side NY

06 May, 2021

9:40 AM

Description

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — Mayor Bill de Blasio announced this week a $348 million investment aimed at rehabilitating the Overbuild Bridges in Riverside Park from West 72nd to West 123rd Streets on the Upper West Side and in Morningside Heights. The Overbuild is a series of bridge structures constructed in the 1930s that sit above the old Amtrak rails in Riverside Park. Over the years, the structures have deteriorated and negatively affected the park's usability — "causing an appearance of disrepair in the park," according to the city. "A recovery for all of us means investing in our green spaces," said Mayor Bill de Blasio, in a news release. "Riverside Park is a New York City gem and I'm sure this investment will keep the park going strong for generations to come." The complete project details and expected end date will be determined during the design process. "The City is committing well over half a billion dollars to restoring Riverside Park's structural core, the largest investment in the park since the 1930s," said Dan Garodnick, President of Riverside Park Conservancy, in a news release. "This enormous investment in the park's fundamental infrastructure will ensure it is there for New Yorkers to enjoy for generations to come." The $348 million in funding announced this week is in addition to more than $300 million previously invested under the de Blasio administration to restore Riverside Park's infrastructure. Other funding has included $200 million to reconstruct the West 79th Street Rotunda complex, $90 million to reconstruct the West 79th Street Boat Basin, and more than $10 million to reconstruct pathways and staircases throughout Riverside Park.