Arup Leads Creation of Dynamic Waterfront Park at Hunter's Point South

NEW YORK, Aug. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Arup, a multidisciplinary engineering and consulting firm with a reputation for delivering innovative and sustainable designs, announced today that it has completed its work at Hunter's Point South, a 30-acre parcel located along the eastern shore of the East River in Long Island City, New York. As the prime consultant to the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), Arup provided civil engineering and utility infrastructure services, among others, for the redevelopment of a post-industrial site into a vibrant waterfront park featuring pedestrian and bicycle-friendly streetscapes that tie together this new urban community. The park opened to the public last week and a ribbon-cutting was held on Wednesday, August 28th.

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Arup worked in collaboration with Thomas Balsley Associates and Weiss/Manfredi for the open space and park design with Arup as the prime consultant and infrastructure designer. The team developed strategies to enhance the urban experience, creating an environment that is sustainable and transformative.

In addition to a new street infrastructure, Hunter's Point South features stormwater bioswales and porous pavement to naturally limit the amount of water runoff being sent into storm sewers. These features were incorporated as part of the sustainable design features of the infrastructure and park design.

"With the completion of this waterfront park, as well as extensive additions and improvements to the site's infrastructure, Hunter's Point South is poised to become a vibrant middle-class neighborhood and a destination for New Yorkers and visitors alike," said New York City Economic Development Corporation President Kyle Kimball. "This park, which highlights the waterfront's natural beauty and engages visitors actively with the natural world, also incorporates infrastructure designed to help prevent the area from flooding, making this site a model for sustainable and resilient waterfront development."

Additional features of the park include a playground, basketball court, dog run, train track "rail garden," and large "oval" green space that will serve as a place for active recreation as well as passive uses. The park comfort station, maintenance and office building will be LEED® Silver-certified and include photovoltaic power systems. The project won a Merit Award in Urban Design from the AIA New York Chapter.

"The waterfront park at Hunter's Point South was an incredibly complex project that spanned four years and required coordination with 70 independent parties, including numerous city agencies," said James DeMarco, PE, LEED AP, senior engineer at Arup. "We are proud to have led the infrastructure team that created one of the most ambitious waterfront parks in New York City's history. The creation of a sustainable community infrastructure will benefit the residents of this new neighborhood for years to come."

This is Arup's fourth project for the New York City Economic Development Corporation. Previous work includes Coney Island Steeplechase Plaza, the East River Waterfront and Green Infrastructure Design for Newtown Creek.

In addition to civil engineering and utility infrastructure, Arup provided the following services:

• Structural, mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering (SMEP)
• Fire/life safety consulting
• Geotechnical engineering
• Lighting design
• Project management
• Sustainability consulting
• Transport planning

Additional project team members include sub-consultants : YU and Associates,  VJ Associates, Naik Consulting Group,  B-A Engineering,  AG Consulting, AKRF, 212 Harakawa Inc, Halcrow Engineers PC (now CH2MHill), and KM Associates of NY.

About Arup
Arup is the creative force at the heart of many of the world's most prominent projects in the built environment and across industry. Its engineers and consultants deliver innovative projects across the world. Arup opened its first US office 25 years ago, and now employs 1,000 in the Americas. The firm was founded in 1946 with an enduring set of values that fosters a distinctive culture, intellectual independence and collaborative approach. The people at Arup are driven to find a better way to deliver better solutions for their clients. (www.arup.com)

SOURCE Arup