By Alison Gregor
South Street Seaport was once the rakish portal to New York City commerce but never recovered from a 19th-century decline, even with the advent in recent decades of a touristy theme mall.
But a renaissance may be in the offing with efforts by the city and real estate developers to make the historic marine neighborhood more amenable to potential residents.
Several developments are in the works or planned along with large-scale renovation of the East River waterfront and changes to the Seaport itself. The once dynamic but now decaying Seaport is becoming a full-fledged residential neighborhood.
“In 1997, people talked about the people living down here, and there was almost a pioneering mentality to it,” said John Evans, vice president of Sciame Development, one of the Seaport’s developers. “It’s not that way any more. It’s an increasingly stable and residential community.”
According to data from Community Board 1, as of a year ago, about 575 residential units had been added to the 12-block Seaport area since the 2000 census, and at least 95 units were under construction. In the neighboring Financial District, about 5,800 units were created or under construction.
Developers speculated that all of those new residents of Lower Manhattan could either head west or east for their weekend and evening leisure.
Denizens of the Seaport hope they’ll go east.
“Where do these people go to have a cup of coffee?” Evans asked. “To get some peace and quiet? To not be part of the business world?
“These people are going to walk to the Seaport neighborhood and the East River waterfront to the extent that it is an inviting destination.”
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