Pier A development plans worry BPC residents

After learning that an under-construction oyster bar and catering hall at the vacant, landmarked, 39,000-square-foot Pier A in Lower Manhattan would also serve a launch point for dinner cruises and other boat excursions, residents raised concerns of noise and pollution disturbing the quiet neighborhood. DNAinfo reported that these residents also told Battery Park officials they are concerned with the amount of tourists who will flock to these cruises  and overcrowd the new, Rogers Marvel Architects-designed Public Plaza surrounding the pier.

“I would hate to see this little jewel of a space be thrown in with Battery Park, be akin to the South Street Seaport…and become resident-hostile,” said Jeff Galloway of Community Board 1.

However, Gwen Dawson, the senior vice president of asset management at the Battery Park City Authority, the group in charge of the pier’s repair, said boat trips would only happen two to three days per week and that boats would not dock at the pier for long periods of time.

Pier A is being redeveloped by the Poulakakos family and the Dermot Company, at a cost of $36 million. As previously reported, the redevelopment of the pier building’s interior hit a hurdle due to poor building conditions, but now the refurbished building is slated to open in the summer or fall of next year. Redevelopment plans also include a 34,000-square-foot Public Plaza around the pier that will open at the same time. [DNAinfo]