Gothamist: East River Waterfalls Will Make Big Splash This July

BioBricoleur

Mon, 26 May 2008 13:48:03 -0500

We should also consider the ecological benefits of the project. Being that it's the east river, it is highly loaded with nutrients from run off, which cause algae to grow and then die. When they die the bacteria which break them down, consume oxygen, reducing the viability for other oxygen-breathing species, like fish. By circulating the water in the east river, the waterfalls will cause aeration of the water, reducing the BOD and increasing the habitat quality of the east river. I wish they designed it to stay...

lifeisgrand

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 11:51:01 -0500

I think this is great. Public art has a value- not just a potential $55 million economic benefit- but it also unifies people and forces non-artistic people to exercise a part of their brain that they may not ever use. Art opens peoples minds. And this project will expose that to people who otherwise don't take the time to appreciate it... If this were taxpayer's money, I'd have a different perspective, though I still wouldn't deny the priceless value of this type of project. And I commend The Public Art Fund for executing this project in a sustainable way. And to all those grumps out there- don't tell me you aren't going to walk by it one day and say- damn, that's pretty cool.

Elderta

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 02:44:08 -0500

It might not be taxpayer's money, but still, it's a lot of dough for a temporary vanity project. Even if I can't wait to kayak under it or not.

pisaq

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:56:25 -0500

No public taxpayer funds are being used to pay for the project. The project is funded entirely by private contributions.

wandererofsorts

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:33:44 -0500

Besides the (obvious) large waste of money being spent here. Why fuck with the Brooklyn Bridge? A fake waterfall makes this seem far too much like a theme-park. Or is that what we are trying to achieve in the city now?

Elderta

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 13:35:49 -0500

A kayaking friend that I just sent this out to wrote: "I'm really excited about the $15 million they are devoting to marsh grass replantings along the East River to restore habitat for a variety of birds that will be a permanent beauty for us to enjoy! Oh wait, that's not happening..."

Elderta

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 12:16:07 -0500

Hmmm... can't wait to kayak under them. That should be interesting!

Tgirl

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:48:22 -0500

the Gates sucked, so will this

Reality Czech

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:44:09 -0500

Aren't there still hoomeless people in this city?

Tim N.

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:28:35 -0500

Fair points, #13/#15... but if I had $15 million on hand, I could probably find something more worthwhile to do with it, especially when arts education is being cut all over the city (including my daughter's school).

JacqueMehoff

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:23:28 -0500

I don't like it. awe inspiring? I think not. rivals nature? really? seen to be believed?

other_islander

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:07:46 -0500

This is so stupid.

rulebook

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:07:13 -0500

Is there nothing the snarky, knee-jerk, anti-RTFA Gothamist trolls will not decry? The waterfalls are being financed privately and implemented by The Public Art Fund Don't like it? Then use your own money to fund something else. You idiots never cease to amaze me.

rtd2101

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:06:27 -0500

If I'm not mistaken this is funded by donations, not tax dollars. Still seems like a bit of a waste, I'd sure like to see people donate $10 million for something more, um...whats the word...practical? But whatever, should be interesting to see.

JGNY

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:00:35 -0500

The Public Art Fund is funded by contributions by private donors and events (I attended one a few years back, 10g's for a table). It's not your money being spent, relax and enjoy it.

ladywarfield

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:58:58 -0500

maybe this will encourage some fake artists to go over the fake falls in a barrel, a la Naigara Falls and free up some sweet apartments in Williamsburg and the LES!

fakenewyorker

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:52:56 -0500

protecting east river wildlife, that's rich. i hate this sort of art. it smacks of man's arrogance in the face of nature. the great falls of patterson were also featured in the sopranos, someone got whacked there. check it out.

Novanglus

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:48:26 -0500

Wait. Wait. I gotta think for a second. Um. My taxes are going to a fake, temporary waterfall? Is this right? Am I missing something here? I'm going to assume that I misunderstood something here. I couldn't imagine $15 million being spent on something like that with everything else going on in the city. I think it's horribly wrong for my tax dollars to go towards such garbage.

Tim N.

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:41:41 -0500

Glenn: If that's the case, then thank God for extremeists. What a waste. I like Toby's idea better. And Emily, if you look real close, you'll see Marshall, Will and Holly standing next to Mayor Bling in the third picture. They've aged.

thenamesdave

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:38:55 -0500

LOL, "Eat" River. Sorry, I laughed.

Toby von Meistersinger

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:35:43 -0500

For the cost of this stupid project you can pay for 1,538,461 people to take the train round trip from Penn Station to Patterson, New Jersey where they can see The Great Falls of Patterson, which is a real waterfall. The downside is that you have to go to Patterson. Here is an idea, take the $15 million and spend it on art classes for public school children. That would be a much better way to spend the money!

jammer

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:34:18 -0500

hooray! this is going to be great! i love how this city will shell out the big bucks for TEMPORARY public art. i mean, i really do (totally not being sarcastic, i swear).

glennQNYC

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:29:20 -0500

You KNOW the environmental extremists will find some single cell organism or something that needs 'protection' from this...

TKaisen

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:21:26 -0500

Mayor Bloomberg said, "These waterfalls will be just as awe-inspiring as any found in nature. They really must be seen to be believed." Come on now.

emilydickinson

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:20:13 -0500

The reason it's such an expensive project, is that the waterfalls will actually lead to 'The Land of The Lost', and interdimensional portal construction costs being what they are, it isn't a cheap endeavor. Also, in this day and age you can't scrimp on Sleestack security measures. You wouldn't want one of those getting loose at the South Street Seaport.

chris

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:16:57 -0500

This could be really great!

FrankMartin

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:12:15 -0500

Hmmm, can they dye the water orange and charge us $10 million more.