The Hudson River Park Trust is in the midst of a required environmental review process for a proposed project at Pier 57 within Hudson River Park.

PIER 57

Pier 57 is a historic pier located at approximately 15th Street and the Hudson River. The applicant—Young Woo & Associates, through the entity Hudson Eagle LLC (“Hudson Eagle”)—proposes to redevelop the Pier 57 site with retail, restaurant, and other commercial uses; a marina; and educational and cultural and public open spaces uses. Integral to the proposed project is the repair and rehabilitation of Pier 57’s historic pier structure, including its caissons.

In order to develop the proposed project, discretionary actions would be required from the Hudson River Park Trust (HRPT), the New York City Planning Commission (CPC), and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), and possibly other agencies, including the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). Thus, the proposed Pier 57 project is subject to environmental review under the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) regulations and guidelines. HRPT is the lead agency for this proposal. In addition, the project will be subject to review under the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP). Federal approvals would be necessary for permits for in-water work and would be subject to environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act.

SCOPE OF WORK

In accordance with the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), a Draft Scope of Work (“Draft Scope”) was prepared and distributed for public review. A public scoping meeting was held on July 14, 2011 at the Chelsea Market Events Space, 75 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY 10011. Written comments were accepted through the public comment period, which ended July 29, 2011.  On October 10, 2012, HRPT posted the Final Scope of Work for the Pier 57 Redevelopment Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). This Final Scope has been prepared to describe the proposed project, present the proposed framework for the EIS analysis, and discuss the procedures to be followed in the preparation of the DEIS.

In January 2012, the city released an updated CEQR Technical Manual. The Final Scope incorporates changes to impact assessment methodologies since the Draft Scope was issued, as well as any revisions made in response to the comments on the Draft Scope.  The Final Scope shows revisions that have been incorporated since the Draft Scope; revisions are indicated by double-underlining new text and striking deleted text.  We have also posted a clean copy of the Final Scope of Work for review.

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (DEIS)

On October 25, 2012, HRPT issued a Notice of Completion and a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the project.  The Notice of Completion and DEIS are both posted here.  As further described in the Notice of Completion, a CD of the entire DEIS and/or a paper copy of the executive summary of the DEIS are available at no charge upon request.  A Public Hearing on the DEIS pursuant to SEQRA was held on January 23, 2013. Please refer to the Notice of Joint Public Hearing for more information.

Comments on the DEIS were accepted orally and in writing at the Public Hearing, and were submitted in writing directly to the Lead Agency (HRPT) until 5pm on February 4, 2013. Written comments were submitted by e-mail and postal mail.  Written comments, whether received at the Public Hearing or submitted directly to the Lead Agency, were afforded the same weight as oral testimony, and those who wished to submit lengthy or complex testimony were urged to do so in writing.

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (FEIS)

On February 22, 2013, HRPT issued a Notice of Completion and the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the project. The Notice of Completion and FEIS are both posted here. As further described in the Notice of Completion, a CD of the entire FEIS and/or a paper copy of the executive summary of the FEIS are available at no charge upon request.

Please check back for more information about Pier 57.