Progress at Pier

The A-Dock is ready to play its A game.

City parks and political figures gathered last week to unveil a new-and-improved look for the 370-foot fixed pier at the 79th Street Boat Basin. Before Hurricane Sandy did extensive damage in 2012, the A-Dock was a top attraction for West Siders.

“Every time we open a facility that connects New Yorkers with the water it’s a special occasion,” said Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer. “The planned new kayak launch and renewed visits by historic sailing vessels are both great news, and will provide more opportunities for New Yorkers to reconnect with our heritage as a port city.”

Brewer thanked FEMA for funding the reconstruction of what she called a “vital public asset.” The nearly $6 million reconstruction was funded by FEMA and Mayor Bill de Blasio; the project came in under budget, city representatives said.

“Cutting the ribbon on the 79th Street Boat Basin A-Dock, returning one of New York’s favorite waterfront spaces to public use, is a great Hurricane Sandy recovery milestone,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver.

Before Sandy, A-Dock was the most heavily-used pier at the marina by boaters and non-boaters. Completed, the pier provides access to a floating kayak launch, which is part of the NYC human-powered boating water trail, as well as to the sailboat mooring field via the floating dinghy docks along the pier’s northern face.

For the A-Dock reconstruction, all wooden pilings were replaced with concrete-filled steel pilings; wooden piling caps and stringers were replaced with concrete and fiberglass respectively. Additionally, a new timber wave screen was installed along the complete northern and eastern stretch.

The boat basin, including its northernmost A-Dock, was constructed in 1937. It was designed as a recreational boating gateway to the city.