East River Blueway beach project may end up being rained out

Those hoping to tan their tushes under the Brooklyn Bridge may just have to look elsewhere as it looks like the proposed beach area that was part of the ambitious <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/tag/east-river-blueway/">East River Blueway</a> project may get the ax. According to the <a href="http://thevillager.com/2016/03/03/a-bridge-beach-too-far-e-d-c-throws-sand-on-novel-blueway-plan/?utm_source=feedly&amp;utm_medium=rss&amp;utm_campaign=a-bridge-beach-too-far-e-d-c-throws-sand-on-novel-blueway-plan">Villager</a>, the NYC Economic Development Corporation conducted a feasibility study and came up with multiple reasons to can the plan, ranging from the high cost to dangerous waves to stormwater-sewage overflow nearby.

The East River Blueway project was first introduced by former Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer in 2013 to the delight of many.

Consultants also highlighted the fact that costly interventions would be needed would reduce the severe wave action in the area in order to make the beach area safe for a public use.

Ocean and Costal Consultants for E.D.C. conducted the study that ultimately cited many factors that go against the plan to build a beach area on the Manhattan side of the bridge.

Specifically, the study pointed out the presence of combined stormwater-sewage overflow outlets as a health hazard as well as severe wave action, fast-moving currents and commercial river traffic as obstacles to opening a public beach.

However, according to the Villager, residents in favor of the beach plan came out in force at a recent Community Board 1 Seaport Committee meeting, where they accused the study of being biased.

Although the recent beach controversy may stall progress, the plan has many supporters who are seemingly willing to continue to fight for the project's beach area.