Emergency Sinkhole Repairs Spark Monthlong Esplanade Closure, Advocates Say

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — The emergency repair of a widening sinkhole on the East River Esplanade will completely shut down a three-block stretch on the Upper East Side later this month, Patch has learned.

According to Friends of the East River Esplanade, the pathway will be closed to all pedestrians between East 93rd Street and East 96th Street, beginning May 26.

This closure will affect pedestrians who regularly use the walkway to reach the ferry or nearby schools.

"This closure will happen while NYC Schools are still in session, so travel to and from the area by students and faculty will be impeded," Maria Kessler, the executive director of Friends of the East River Esplanade, told Patch.

The emergency repair plan comes after city officials closed a block of the East River Esplanade between East 93rd Street and East 94th Street on April 23, after a long-standing sinkhole there was discovered to have significantly worsened and expanded.

The closed portion between East 93rd and East 94th streets was partially reopened to pedestrians and cyclists a week later, following an inspection, the Parks Department said.

Kessler said the plan for the repair and May 26 closure was revealed during a meeting between city officials at the site of the sinkhole on Wednesday.

"EsplanadeFriends was present to voice concerns regarding the dangers that we witnessed a few weeks ago when the area was closed for a few days and people scaled the fence and walked on the FDR," Kessler said. "Our community is the eyes and ears of the Esplanade."

Friends of the East River Esplanade founder Jennifer Ratner previously told Patch that the closure underscores years of deferred repairs along the Esplanade.

"We understand that this is an extremely complicated area from the standpoint of infrastructure, but this specific sinkhole, between 93rd and 94th, has been long, long, long-standing," Ratner, who founded Friends of the East River Esplanade more than 10 years ago, told Patch.

The sinkhole had been previously fenced off, but the area was still accessible to pedestrians.

"We are actively working on 16 projects in our pipeline, in coordination with sister agencies, to restore and improve the esplanade," the Parks spokesperson told Patch.

A revamped portion of the Esplanade between East 70th Street and East 78th Street is reopening in phases after years of sinkhole and seawall repairs through October.

For questions, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.

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