Waterfront's $150m facelift.

East River Waterfront, from Battery Park to East River Park, will undergo a dramatic $150 million transformation that will enhance the public esplanade, add waterfront amenities and create new commercial, cultural and community destinations along the 2-mile stretch of waterfront.

"A bold new vision for the East River Waterfront is a critical component of our efforts to revitalize and transform Lower Manhattan," said Mayor Bloomberg.

"There is a direct connection between improving our waterfront and retaining and attracting business and jobs to Lower Manhattan.

"I want to thank Governor Pataki and the LMDC for working together with the City to fund this plan, which allows us to fulfill our commitment to improve this celebrated gateway to our City, and enables us to immediately begin realizing this vision as part of our larger commitment to redevelop Lower Manhattan, strengthen the financial district, and reconnect the area's diverse communities."

The $150 million dollars allocated to the East River Waterfront plan represents the single largest allocation, after the World Trade Center memorial, of the $800 million of the LMDC's remaining Community Development Block Grant funds for the rebuilding of Lower Manhattan.

This plan is next step in completing the 32-mile Manhattan Greenway, and will greatly improve the connection between the Battery and East River Parks, two of the largest open spaces in Lower Manhattan, said Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

The implementation of the Plan fulfills a key element of the Bloomberg's Vision for Lower Manhattan announced in December 2002.

The new waterfront walkway will include traditional waterfront amenities such as seating and plantings, as well as innovative improvements such as new cladding and enhanced lighting beneath the FDR.