PlanNYC: Fresh Kills Master Plan

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In April the Department of City Planning presented the draft master plan for the 2,200-acre Fresh Kills area on Staten Island, previously the site of the world's largest landfill. The City envisions a park three times the size of Central Park that will evolve in three consecutive ten-year phases, costing around $100 million. In August 2005 Mayor Bloomberg announced the first project at Fresh Kills, called Owl Hollow Fields. It is a $6 million, 28-acre project that includes 10 acres of recreation space, four soccer fields, a 9/11 memorial, and fitness and nature trails. Construction on the site is slated to begin in 2008.

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Staten Island Borough President Opposes Parks Department Plans for Fresh Kills

Wednesday, July 23, 2008 | SILive.com | Topic: Environment

James Molinaro, the Staten Island Borough President, opposes the placement of two planned roads to cut through the Fresh Kills Natural Area being created by the Parks Department. Although the ULURP process has yet to begin, Molinaro has let it be known he disagrees with certain aspects of the plan and does not plan to back down. It is not believed the City will try to circumvent his approval due to the controversy that could create.

Staten Island BP Butts Heads with Parks Department on Freshkills Roadways

Sunday, June 08, 2008 | SILive.com | Topic: Land Use

Staten Island Borough President James P. Molinaro has refused to sign off on the design for the roads system at Freshkills Park, threatening serious delays in the project’s approval process. The Parks Department, the Mayor’s office, and environmental engineers insist that the road design that has been presented is the only viable option, while Molinaro contends that the current design is infeasible. He also argues that the Parks Department has intentionally designed the roads to fail because they are only concerned with building a park, and not a road system. Parks officials maintain that the park cannot succeed without a road system. The borough president’s signature is needed on the map of the proposed land use changes as part of the City’s ULURP process.

Freshkills Park Draft EIS Released; Highlights Roads and the Potential of Wind Power

Monday, May 19, 2008 | SILive.com | Topic: Environment

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Freshkills Park project was released today and includes information on two projects closely-watched by Staten Islanders and championed by their borough president, Jim Molinaro: the road system and the possibility for wind turbines on the site. The DEIS explains that there is enough room for roads of up to four lanes to be built on the site if traffic demands it. On the topic of wind power, the document states that further studies will be needed to determine the feasibility of building turbines on the settling landfill mounds. The release of the DEIS marks the beginning of a 4-month public comment period after which a final EIS will be released in September, as well as the start of the 6- to 7-month Uniform Land Use Review Process (ULURP).

Borough President Proposes Wind Farm at Freshkills Park

Friday, March 28, 2008 | New York Times | Topic: Environment

Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro has asked Governor David Paterson to consider a proposal to include a wind farm at Freshkills Park on the site of the former Fresh Kills landfill. In a letter to the governor, Molinaro stated that seven large wind turbines on the site could generate enough energy to power 5,000 homes. He also said that BQ Energy would be willing to cover the costs of developing the wind farm. Through a spokesperson, Governor Paterson said he would consider the proposal, but the plan will require work with the Department of Environmental Conservation, which has so far, according to Molinaro, not been forthcoming.

Funding a Concern for Roads Through Fresh Kills

Friday, February 08, 2008 | Staten Island Advance | Topic: Transportation

Funding to construct two roadways through the Fresh Kills Landfill is a concern according to the Park’s administrator, Eloise Hirsh. Only 10% of the $300 million needed to develop the road network has been allocated thus far. This means that the city will have to leverage money from other sources or find funding within its own budget. It is essential to begin construction of the roadways before the Sanitation Department finishes capping the landfill in order to keep costs reasonable. Consideration for wetlands and landfill management systems has raised the price of developing the road network.

Public Information Session Held for Fresh Kills Park

Thursday, August 16, 2007 | NY1 | Topic: Land Use

The city’s Parks Department held a public information session regarding the development of a 250-acre site on the 2,200-acre landfill on Staten Island known as Fresh Kills. The city intends to construct the public space by the end of next year, with the possibility of opening the site publicly in 2009. While citizen input was generally positive, some residents expressed concerns about the development’s effect on parking and traffic congestion.

Public Meeting to Discuss Fresh Kills Park

Tuesday, August 07, 2007 | Staten Island Advance | Topic: Environment

The Parks Department has plans to hold a public meeting to discuss the proposal to put a 250-acre park in the North Park area of Fresh Kills. The proposal has the park slated to open in 2009. Eloise Hirsh, the administrator of Fresh Kills Park, is using the meeting as an opportunity to touch base with the community and make sure the city and its residents are on the same page.

New Roads for Fresh Kills

Wednesday, June 06, 2007 | Staten Island Advance | Topic: Land Use

Yesterday the New York City Council approved a measure to develop 202 acres of the former Fresh Kills landfill – and future parkland – into two roads leading into and out of the park. The measure now goes to the state legislature and is expected to be approved by June 21.

Staten Island Borough President Focuses on Traffic Congestion

Friday, April 06, 2007 | Staten Island Advance | Topic: Transportation

As Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro enters his final 1,000 days in term-limited office he has focused his administration's policy goals on traffic congestion and expanded transit options. Speaking to a group of Borough Hall cabinet members, Molinaro outlined some objectives: opening roads in the Fresh Kills landfill, securing federal money for the North Shore rail study, providing more rail options in the absence of Metropolitan Transportation Authority guarantees to add express bus routes, and adding traffic signals that respond to vehicle flow. Molinaro also reiterated his opposition to the construction of a Supreme Court building at the corner of Central Avenue and Hyatt Street.

Radiation Detected in Staten Island Park

Wednesday, March 28, 2007 | NY1 | Topic: Environment

Environment testing has uncovered two "hot spots" of radiation deposits in Gateway National Park on Staten Island, leading Representative Vito Fossella to call for more government investigations. The concerning areas both sit on land once employed as a landfill. While the radiation levels detected are not alarmingly high, they exceed acceptable levels according to the Department of Health.

Can Staten Island Hold More Hotels?

Friday, March 23, 2007 | Staten Island Advance | Topic: Land Use

Hotel developer Sam Chang is planning three economy hotels on Staten Island that will complement the borough's existing stock of two major hotels. The sites are planned on the West Shore and would include 283 rooms in total. While some praised the planned additions as a potential boom for economic growth, others worried about the borough's ability to establish business infrastructure to handle the growth. Market analysts wonder if a "bedroom community" like Staten Island can even absorb more hotel rooms.

Catalyst for Growth: A Failed Olympic Bid

Sunday, March 18, 2007 | Crain's New York Business | Topic: Economic Development

New York's loss to London in its attempt to host the 2012 Olympics has steered the city onto a path of economic development and rebuilding, according to Crain's New York Business. The article details how many current development projects in New York, particularly those situated on prime waterfront property and suited for transportation sites and housing, are fruits of the failed bid. Deputy Mayor Daniel Doctoroff, who worked with Yale urban planner Alex Garvin, engineered a plan to redevelop underutilized land in the city for the Olympics. The plan, according to Doctoroff, is now informing the city's sustainable growth plan for the year 2025.

Silt from USS Intrepid Taken to Fresh Kills; Staten Islanders Worried

Friday, November 17, 2006 | NY1 | Topic: Environment

Staten Island officials expressed worry on Thursday that the silt underneath the USS Intrepid, currently docked in the Hudson River, is contaminated. In an effort to move the ship to New Jersey, engineers have been removing silt and bringing it to the Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island. Critics were skeptical that the silt material had been properly identified for harmful contaminants.

Planner Selected To Lead Fresh Kills Project

Thursday, September 28, 2006 | Staten Island Advance | Topic: Land Use

City officials have selected a former Pittsburgh city planner to lead the transformation of Staten Island’s Fresh Kills from landfill to park. The 2,200-acre dump will be recreated as a park according to a master plan which the city released last April, outlining activities ranging from horseback riding and mountain biking to bird-watching and hiking. If the required regulatory hurdles are completed on schedule, implementation of the master plan could begin in 2008 with the first of three phases hoped to be completed by about 2015.

Concerns Surround Fresh Kills Findings

Friday, September 22, 2006 | New York Sun | Topic: Environment

According to a recently-released report, a radiological survey of the city uncovered an area in Fresh Kills Park on Staten Island with high levels of radium. The one-acre section of the park – which is not open to the public - is part of the Gateway National Recreation Area. The full public health implications are unclear.

Finding Support for the Park Boom

Monday, August 07, 2006 | Gotham Gazette | Topic: Environment

Parks commissioner Adrian Benepe has predicted that 2006 will be the biggest year for parks construction in New York City since the 1930s. Increasingly the city and state expect private groups to come up with the money to operate new parks.

Creating More Than A Park

Tuesday, July 25, 2006 | New York Sun | Topic: Environment

To see Fresh Kills today, it's hard to imagine how it could ever function as much more than a nature preserve, something along the lines of a national park rather than an urban park. But the city planners of 150 years ago foresaw that the population would swell northward in the fullness of time and that Central Park would be a catalyst to that development.

The Landfill Cinderella Story Welcomes Its First Public Visitors

Sunday, June 25, 2006 | New York Times | Topic: Land Use

20 tourists joined the Parks Department for its first public tour of the 2,200-acre soon-to-be park.

Civil Crowd Hears Park Plans

Thursday, May 25, 2006 | Staten Island Advance | Topic: Land Use

Compared to the rowdy NASCAR race track public hearing, last night's public hearing on the plans for Fresh Kills was received by a smaller and receptive crowd.

Time for Public Opinion

Sunday, May 21, 2006 | Staten Island Advance | Topic: Land Use

This Wednesday the city will begin its final review of the draft master plan for the Fresh Kills landfill park. After spending nearly three years developing a plan, the Parks Department is ready to receive public comments.

Price Keeps Rising at Fresh Kills

Friday, May 19, 2006 | Staten Island Advance | Topic: Finance

NYC's Sanitation Department released the steep $1.4 billion cost of shutting down Fresh Kills landfill and continuing to monitor it over the next 30 years. Though the price is not out of line with other landfill projects, the large size of Fresh Kills is the concern.

The Cost to Close Fresh Kills is Announced

Thursday, May 18, 2006 | New York Times | Topic: Finance

The New York City sanitation commissioner announced the revised estimate to close and maintain Fresh Kills over the next 30 years at $1.4 billion. This estimate is hundreds of millions above earlier estimates and also includes an increase project timeline of five years.

Fresh Kills Transformation Underway

Sunday, April 30, 2006 | New York Daily News | Topic: Land Use

Though obstacles remain, big changes are underway at the former Fresh Kills landfill. The landfill, which closed in 2001, will be radically transformed under the recently released master plan, which over the next 30 years will convert the site into a 2,200 acre park and recreation area.

Parks Budget For 2007

Tuesday, April 25, 2006 | Gotham Gazette | Topic: Finance

With many park projects in the works, some feel that the parks budget for 2007 is inadequate. Park advocates are lobbying for the council to add $9 million to the budget to almost double the Park Enforcement Patrol to 200 officers and to increase the frequency of maintenance operations.

Glimpse of the Fresh Kills' Future

Monday, April 24, 2006 | Staten Island Advance | Topic: Historic Preservation & Landmarks

A group of 35 people took a walking tour guided by the Municipal Art Society around the 345-acre South Mound and were told of a vision of blooming trees, wild rosebushes poking through grass-covered hills and bird life akin to a nature sanctuary. The goal of the tour was to show Municipal Art Society members the changing landscape of Fresh Kills and help them identify with the project.

Roads Through Fresh Kills?

Sunday, April 23, 2006 | Staten Island Advance | Topic: Land Use

Just months after determining that a pair of two-lane roads would meet Fresh Kills' transportation needs, city planners are considering building two four-lane thoroughfares instead.

Master Plan For Fresh Kills Park

Thursday, April 20, 2006 | Other | Topic: Urban Design & Architecture

Earlier this month the New York City Planning Department released a draft master plan for the conversion of Fresh Kills Landfill. Construction is set to start as early as 2008 and upon completion, the park will be the city's second largest after Pelham Bay Park.

Fresh Kills Turbines?

Tuesday, April 11, 2006 | Staten Island Advance | Topic: Land Use

A 200-foot antenna-like structure installed at Fresh Kills is helping experts determine whether there is enough wind to power turbines. The study's results will be included in the final master plan for the park.

Draft of Master Plan Released

Friday, April 07, 2006 | Staten Island Advance | Topic: Land Use

The transformation of the Fresh Kills landfill into a sprawling park is moving closer to reality as the city is preparing to kick off a year-long environmental review process. A public hearing on the process will be held in late May.

Big changes in store for the communities near Fresh Kills

Thursday, February 02, 2006 | Staten Island Advance | Topic: Land Use

Fresh Kills neighbors in Travis are looking forward to a change in scenery as the park is developed.

Fresh Kills Master Plan Release Date is Postponed

Saturday, December 31, 2005 | Staten Island Advance | Topic: Land Use

The original release for the Fresh Kills Master Plan was this month but it has been postponed for later this winter. Planners want more time to gather public input on the proposal. After its release the plan will undergo an 18 month environmental review process.

Environmentalists and Traffic Advocates Clash over Road Through Fresh Kills

Monday, November 14, 2005 | Staten Island Advance | Topic: Transportation

Planners intend to create a road passing through the planned Fresh Kills Park connecting Richmond Avenue with the West Shore Expressway. Environmentalists wish to avoid proximity to wildlife refuges and minimize impact on the park.

Plans for Fresh Kills Park Run into 9/11 Concerns

Saturday, November 05, 2005 | Other | Topic: Land Use

The fully-funded construction of a park on Fresh Kills Landfill is meeting opposition from the 9/11 families, who consider the area, where WTC materials were deposited, to be akin to a grave site.

Will Fresh Kills shed its image as a landfill?

Sunday, August 28, 2005 | New York Times | Topic: Land Use

The Fresk Kills Landfill, which closed in 2001, is about to transformed into a 2,200-acre park. Planners and residents alike are hoping the area can cast off its old image.

Fresh Kills Park plan announced

Tuesday, August 23, 2005 | New York Times | Topic: Land Use

Mayor Bloomberg and other elected officials yesterday announced plans for the first phase of what eventually will be called Fresh Kills Park. Owl Hollow Fields, as the initial section will be called, will be a 28-acre section of the park, which numbers 2,200 acres in total. The City will pay most of the $6 million cost, with the federal government contributing $1 million.

Guess who the city is hiring to do some planning?

Thursday, March 03, 2005 | New York Sun | Topic: Urban Design & Architecture

New York City increasingly commissions reknowned architects and designers for its large-scale planning projects--including the Fresh Kills plan, the 2012 Olympic Village, and the master plan for Ground Zero.

From ruin and artifice, landscapes reborn

Thursday, February 24, 2005 | New York Times | Topic: Urban Design & Architecture

"Fresh Kills will be three times as big as Central Park," James Corner, a landscape architect, said last week, standing on one of the highly engineered mounds of capped garbage at that former landfill, which sprawls over 2,200 acres on Staten Island.

Fresh Kills: Landfill to Landscape

Monday, February 07, 2005 | NYC Department of City Planning | Topic: Environment

The Department of City Planning produced a document, portions of which can be found on this website, that describes the Fresh Kills site, including the regulatory requirements for closure and post-closure care, its geology, history, ecology, visual and physical character, infrastructure and surroundings.

Open up trash turnpike

Thursday, February 03, 2005 | New York Daily News | Topic: Transportation

Taking a scenic drive through Staten Island could soon include a new highlight - a trip through the garbage dump.

A service of the Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy at New York University

A capstone project of the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service

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