Meet the Woman Planning an Underwater Highline in the Bronx
There is nothing quite like New Yorkers to show off their city. Every year, hundreds of thousands march up streets covered in the glitter of the city’s glitz and glamour, and when those lights turn off, crowds fill the empty streets that are left in the aftermath. And then there are those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, creating something that’s not only beautiful, but functional as well.
This year, the City of New York unveiled its newest design feature: the Bronx Greenway. This under ground high-fence protected space, which spans 6.3 miles and includes a series of water bodies, will be the city’s first “complete network of protected open space.” This under ground promenade will be part of the Bronx River Watershed Initiative, a partnership of more than 30 partners between state, local, and the city agencies.
The plan for the Bronx Greenway is not without controversy. In the past, the city has had a number of failed attempts at building the promenade over water, most notably an attempt in 2007-2008. However, the New York Waterfront Coalition opposed the plan over fears that it would block access to the water on the west side of the Bronx and cause a flooding crisis that could take years to repair.
While the project is technically still in its early stages, with little more than conceptual drawings, the coalition has been working with Bronx-based artist, and member of the organization, Stephanie Nesbit to build a plan that more closely resembles the Greenway that will exist in the future.
To get a better idea of the potential of the Greenway, I spoke with Stephanie about her vision for the under sea promenade.
How did you get involved with the initiative?
I am a lifelong New Yorker and have always been interested in the city. I grew up in the Bronx and began my career working as a teacher of art and design. At my alma mater, the College of St. Rose, I was part of the design faculty as well at a time when art and design programs were expanding and changing the way we trained artists, architects, and engineers.
When New York Waterfront Coalition came into being, I was asked to be a part of the board as well as serve on the Bronx Green
