The highly anticipated East Midtown Greenway has celebrated its grand opening. The project, designed by Stantec and constructed by Skanska, debuted on Tuesday and is the second of three sections of the East Midtown Waterfront Project that will contribute to completing the pedestrian esplanade and bikeway loop that will fully encircle Manhattan.
The greenway features three major components that include a pedestrian bridge, an in-water structure, a bike path, and the topside landscape. The new pedestrian bridge at 54th Street will provide a connection for pedestrians and bicyclists between the community and the greenway, and the in-water structure will serve as the foundation for the topside linear park, which was designed as a simple and elegant structure. In total, the project adds almost 2,000 linear feet of separated bikeway and walkway to an area of Manhattan that needs it most.
The $217 million project broke ground in 2019 and is a collaboration with the New York City Economic Development Corporation. This current phase fills in a 1.1-mile gap of waterfront access on the East River Esplanade from Andrew Haswell Green on East 60th Street to Clara Coffey Park on East 54th Street. Eventually, the Greenway will connect the entire East River waterfront in one long stretch — similar to what’s found on Manhattan’s western edge.
“Cities across the world are looking for ways to become more bikeable and walkable, but new pathways and corridors can also be places people want to be in and of themselves,” said Nicole Ogrosso, project manager at Stantec. “The East Midtown Greenway offers just that—a unique waterfront experience that is both beautiful and park-like. We’re incredibly proud to see this project come to life and congratulate the New York City Economic Development Corporation and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation on today’s grand opening."
