I've Seen the Future

and the future is, well, bright. And full of moms and little kids.

imjustsayin headed down Kent Avenue yesterday to inspect the new East River esplanade and Water Taxi landing behind the Shaefer Landing complex just south of the Williamsburg Bridge. Frankly I was generally impressed with the aesthetic - the waterfront access was a key aspect of the long-fought Williamsburg/Greenpoint rezone that took place last year and is enabling much of the present building boom in these parts.

The faux paving stone walk and modern street furniture is reminiscent of that found in its Husdon River Park cousin. A bit light on shade trees, but it is brand-spanking new so we'll be patient. I made two trips down there in the late afternoon, and both times found the walk crowded with Southside Moms and their kids, enjoying their first taste of neighborhood waterfront access.

By the way, there's a very subtle, brushed-aluminum plaque with a funky acquatic 'W' and a TEENY TINY "Department of City Planning" imprint installed near the entrance on Kent. You can see it in the linked Flickr set. Has anyone seen this logo anywhere else in the city?

Naturally, the upscale residential complex features its own - gated - courtyard, cleverly elevated above the public promenade so as to afford its residents their own, um, meditative river view.

The Water Taxi from 34th Street landed right on time, at the height of rush hour, and dropped one happy commuter off. The MTA can take heart; that's one less body on the L train...

imjustsayin's shaefer landing photo expedition