Bronx waterfront greenway: the virtual workshop is Dec. 3, not this week, and construction money isn't lined up yet

The city held its first public workshop Wednesday night on a proposed 15-mile greenway along the Bronx waterfront, from Randall's Island to SUNY Maritime College in Throggs Neck, amNY reported. The second session, a virtual one, is not this week as first announced. The Transportation Department's greenways page now lists it for Thursday, Dec. 3, 6 to 8 p.m.

Correction to our earlier report: our Oct. 26 story said the in-person workshop would run 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 4 and the virtual workshop 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 5, as first reported. DOT's page lists the in-person session as 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 4 and the virtual session as Dec. 3. Registration for the Dec. 3 session is on the DOT page.

Why it matters to residents: a greenway is an off-street path for walking and biking. This one would link Hunts Point, Soundview and Throggs Neck to the waterfront and to each other. The route is not set yet, and this round of workshops is meant to gather what residents know about existing conditions before the department draws plans.

Where the money stands

The project is one of six greenway corridors the city is planning with a $7.25 million federal grant it won in 2022. That money pays for implementation plans, not construction, amNY reported. The city expects the plans to be finished by 2028, and building the routes will depend on future funding.

DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn said the city wants residents to help shape the route before plans are final, according to amNY. Council Member Amanda C. Farías, whose district includes Soundview, welcomed the effort. "A continuous 15-mile greenway along the Bronx waterfront would be an incredible addition to our borough," she said.

What our records add

Four Council districts along the way. By our district maps, the corridor would touch District 8 at Randall's Island (Elsie Encarnación), District 17 in Hunts Point (Justin E. Sanchez), District 18 in Soundview (Farías) and District 13 at SUNY Maritime (Shirley Aldebol). The workshop site, the BankNote Building at 1231 Lafayette Ave., is in District 17.

DOT has warned that greenways cost far more than paint. At the Finance Committee's May 29 transportation budget hearing, a member asked how much a bike lane costs. A DOT official said it varies widely with design, concrete work and signal changes, and that a fully built greenway costs far more than a painted lane. The member asked the department for a breakdown by type of lane. The department said it expected a substantial increase in bike lane construction in fiscal 2027.

Waterfront bills are waiting. Two bills from January would put more of the city's attention on its shoreline:

• Int. 222, from Kamillah Hanks with 12 sponsors, including Farías, would create an Office of the Waterfront in the City Charter. It is in the Governmental Operations Committee and has had no hearing in 280 days.
• Int. 56, from Alexa Avilés, would require an annual report on the state of waterfront infrastructure. It has been in committee since Jan. 29.

Related ballot change. Question 3, approved Tuesday, speeds up reviews of street safety projects such as bike and bus lanes. It is not yet clear how much of an off-street greenway would fall under it. Our DeKalb and Lafayette story covers what the measure changes.

What's next

• Dec. 3, 6 to 8 p.m.: virtual workshop on the Bronx route. Register through nyc.gov/greenways.
• Workshops for the Brooklyn, Staten Island and southern Queens corridors are expected next year, amNY reported in October.
• Implementation plans for all six corridors are due by 2028.