BY ALINE REYNOLDS | Tribeca’s Pier 25 has quickly become a popular hotspot since reopening to the public last November; so much so, it’s already experiencing some wear and tear.
Passersby and Hudson River Park officials have recently noticed mysterious, large cracks in several of the concrete pavers that make up the pier’s walkway.
The cause of the cracks is unknown. Hudson River Park Trust, the agency that maintains the pier, is aware of the problem and has ordered its project management team to investigate the matter “to determine the full extent and cause of the condition,” according to H.R.P.T. spokesperson David Katz.
“The investigation involves field testing and other on-site physical investigations that we expect to continue over the course of the next few months,” said Katz. “Once that is complete, we will have a better sense of timing for what follows. If the cause is determined to be the result of improper installation, we would pursue that with the relevant contractor or designer.”
H.R.P.T. believes the broken pavers are cosmetic and that they don’t pose a safety hazard to users of the park.
The agency plans to replace the broken parts of the walkway as soon as officials are assured that the damage won’t reoccur in the replacement pavers. The necessary construction work might involve limited closures to small sections of the pier at a time but will not likely require closure of the entire pier, Katz said.
Community members who frequent the park had mixed reactions about the cracks.
Chelsea resident Anthony Gonzalez, who bikes in the park several times a week, is concerned about park users’ safety. “If somebody falls, the city’s responsible for it, and it would take away funding they could use to build this place up,” said Gonzalez. “I’d rather see it fixed than somebody injured, especially a young child in this neighborhood.”
Calvin Diffenbaugh agreed.
“It’s not even a year old… they should act on it right away,” said Diffenbaugh.
Other park goers were unfazed by the cracks.
“I don’t think they should be wasting money fixing up the cracks. They’re not that bad,” said Soho resident Catherine Coreno. “It’s part of the wear and tear of life.”
Similarly, Bob Townley, executive director of Manhattan Youth Downtown Community Center, which operates various programs on the pier, said the cracks are “no big deal.”
“There are only very few pavers I have noticed, and I am sure they will be fixed,” Townley said. “New construction always has some shake-out. The pier is stable and cool.”
