The redevelopment of Hammond Cove Marina has been made the top budget priority request by Community Board 10 for FY 2013.
The board decided that Hammond Cove is in need of an upgrade that goes beyond dredging the inlet area so that boats will have an easier time exiting and entering the cove, said Community Board 10 district manager Kenneth Kearns.
The marina itself needs an upgrade that includes the removal of derelict boats that have been abandoned by their owners, removing any cars that don’t belong in the parking lot, and a number of enhancements to underdeveloped areas along the waterfront, Kearns stated.
“The marina and restaurant are very nice, but there is a good amount of under-utilized land,” Kearns said. “The board feels that this city-owned property can be redeveloped to include a number of additional waterborne activities like kayaking, canoeing, and passive recreational use. It can be a real stunning place.”
The area could be a haven for people looking to access the waterfront, draw in new boaters who will be attracted to a greatly-enhanced marina, and could serve to generate more revenue for the city, Kearns said.
“Right now it is a gem in the rough,” Kearns said. “We have a really great restaurant and an adequate marina, and feel that we can improve the rest.”
The board has already started working with the Parks Department, and has conducted a preliminary site visit, taking photos and suggesting a survey for the future, Kearns said.
Since CB 10 is a board with a large amount of waterfront, the scenic areas along the shore need to be well-kept, said Community Board 10 chairman John Marano.
“It is a major concern because our board is surrounded by water,” Marano said. “This is a beautiful area and we want to keep it active.”
It could take a long time before the city decides to take any action on our budget recommendation, Marano said.
Any upgrade will also require the help of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said CB 10 parks committee chairwoman Virginia Gallagher.
“We are going to need assistance from the Army Corps of Engineers,” Gallagher stated. “Dredging is desperately needed not just for the people who use the marina, but people who live along the shore who have boats.”
Kearns sees this project as a focal point for the northeast Bronx.
“That is why we made it our number one budget priority,” Kearns said. “With a small amount of outlay, it could be something really nice.”
