Sergey Kadinsky

Written Works

In the past decade, City College and the surrounding neighborhoods have witnessed a number of positive developments, including the restoration of the Apollo Theater, the opening of the Harlem USA Shopping Center, and the expansion of the Studio Museum. On Mar. 16, the neighborhood celebrated the opening of the only bowling alley north of 42nd Street on the island of Manhattan. Like the theater and art museum, he bowling alley is another sign of a cultural and recreational revival in Harlem. However, that is not all.

If the Aquatic Development Group has its way, the students of CCNY and their neighbors would no longer need to trek all the way to Coney Island to splash in six-foot waves. Planned for the northern tip of Randall's Island, the proposed 26-acre water park would offer not only a wave pool, but also up to 150 full-time and 650 part-time positions. To make the project more attractive to the surrounding low-income and immigrant communities, the developer of the project has promised to give hiring preference to local residents, and host cost-free swimming courses for 2,000 local children. Part of the water park would be indoors, which would make it a year-round destination.

For much of its history, Randall's Island and Wards Island was treated more as a dumping ground than a prized neighborhood backyard. Since the revolution, the city has used the island as a military fort, a potter's field, a penitentiary, and an insane asylum. In the 20th century, the two islands were combined using landfill, and their location between three of the city's boroughs became important for the city's infrastructure. The Hell Gate Bridge connects New York City with the New England states, and is presently used for freight and Amtrak service. The Triborough Bridge connects Manhattan, Bronx, and Queens, providing an important link to LaGuardia Airport. In the last quarter of the century, the island's recreational potential began to be recognized. The island hosted a number of varsity sports competitions, rock music concerts, and most notably, Cirque Du Soleil performances.

While upscale acrobatic performances certainly benefit the city as a whole, they had failed to gain the support of East Harlem residents, many of whom cannot afford the admission fees to those events. Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer now raises the same concerns and expresses opposition to the water park's proposed admission fee schedule of $27 for children, and $35 for adults. "How will an East Harlem family of four pay $150 for a day in that park?" He asked.

Another concern expressed by public officials is the expected rise in construction costs, which are currently estimated at $168 million. When the park was originally brought to the attention of Mayor Rudolph Giuliani in 1999, the size of the site was only 12 acres, and the cost was $45 million. "It's as if this project has evolved from a wading pool into a tidal wave on the East River," said Jeff Simmons, a spokesman for city Controller William Thompson, who holds a seat on the city's Franchise and Concession Review Committee, and has voted against the project.

While current parks commissioner Adrian Benepe praises the proposed water park for its economic benefits and location, his predecessor, Henry Stern, has expressed doubts. "What happens if they go broke or if they abandon it? Will the city be stuck with a white elephant?" Because the site is located on public parkland, the city is the ultimate owner of the project. The agreement with the developers requires that the city receive 25 percent of future advertising revenue; $1 million in annual rent from the park; $21.7 million of payments in lieu of taxes in the first ten years of business; and a security deposit. The water park's lease for the site is 35 years.

With the approval of the Franchise and Concession Review Committee on Apr. 11, construction could be completed by the summer of 2008. One proposed name for the park is Hell Gate Water Park, after the turbulent channel that separates the island from Queens. Though the city is home to the legendary Coney Island, the Randalls Island Water Park would be the first urban water park in country.