Hunter's Point South Ferry Landing FAQs

The New York City Economic Development Corporation (“NYCNYCEDC”) recently concluded an alternatives analysis study to determine a location for the new Hunter's Point South ferry landing. Read more about the study and the proposed location.

The project is progressing design and is advancing towards construction, which is anticipated to begin in winter 2027.

Below is a list of frequently asked questions about the new Hunter's Point South ferry landing.

1. Why does the Hunter's Point South ferry landing need to be replaced?

• Hunter's Point South is the oldest landing in the system, built in the 1990s, and is nearing the end of its useful life. It must be replaced to maintain ferry service to this area.
• The landing cannot be replaced in its current location. Modern designs require larger and deeper piles that cannot be driven into the riverbed as this is directly above an Amtrak tunnel. Piles are the vertical structures that hold ferry landings in place.
• Please see slide 4 of the alternatives analysis study deck to view underwater constraints.

2. Where will the new ferry landing be?

• NYCEDC proposes to relocate the new landing to the southern part of the esplanade, parallel to the concession seating area, and approximately 200 feet north of the existing landing.
• This location is outside of zones that may disrupt the Amtrak tunnel to the south and the Queens/Midtown tunnel to the north.

3. When will construction of the new landing occur?

NYCEDC anticipates starting construction in winter 2027 with a completion by the summer/fall of 2027. Most work is done off site to minimize construction time and impacts to the park.

4. Will existing service at Hunter's Point South need to be changed or paused during construction?

• Our goal is to avoid service interruptions during construction of the new landing. We anticipate short-term closures may occur and will provide ample notice to ferry riders before any such interruption.
• In the event of a temporary closure, East River route service would most likely be temporarily re-routed to the Long Island City ferry landing (about half a mile north of the existing landing) in effort to minimize disruption to riders.

5. Will the new ferry landing change the level of service offered at Hunter's Point South?

NYC Ferry operations change regularly to adapt to seasonal demand. As part of the recent systemwide optimization, riders at Hunter’s Point South will have faster access to Downtown Manhattan, while peak-period service frequency will remain unchanged, with ferries arriving approximately every 20-25 minutes.

Although the proposed landing design includes two docking positions, this does not mean that service levels will double. The dual dock is intended to provide operational flexibility to alternate docking positions depending on tidal conditions.

In addition, there are no plans to deploy larger vessels on the East River route at this time.

6. Will the new landing be accessible?

Yes, the new landing will be fully accessible for all riders including those that use wheelchairs, walkers and strollers. Additionally, stairs on the southern side of the esplanade in between the concessions area and the existing landing will be replaced with a ramp so the landing will be accessible from the park paths to the north or the south.

7. Why doesn’t the proposed design have a canopy?

This design modification is a response to a community request during earlier outreach efforts to minimize aspects of the project that could block views from the esplanade.

8. What steps are being taken to address air quality concerns at this location?

The proposed project moves the ferry landing further from the esplanade than the existing location. At approximately 100 feet from the esplanade, the new landing is placed as far into the river as regulators will allow. Improving NYC Ferry’s environmental footprint is an important goal for NYCEDC, though technology for reduced and zero-emission fast ferries and upland charging infrastructure is still in its early stages in the United States. NYCEDC is exploring short- and long-term approaches to reduce emissions.

In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, NYC Ferry is transitioning its fleet to renewable diesel and upgrading engines on select vessels to meet EPA Tier IV standards. These Tier IV engine upgrades are expected to reduce nitrogen oxide by approximately 68% and particulate matter by approximately 64%. Together these efforts will deliver systemwide environmental benefits.

9. Why does the ferry sound a horn when it is near the landing?

Vessels are required by United States Coast Guard regulation to sound warning horns before backing out of landings to alert other vessels to their movements. NYC Ferry follows these safety regulations and uses horns that meet the minimum requirements based on each vessel’s classification.

10. How will NYCEDC manage queuing to minimize esplanade crowding?

NYCEDC is working with McLaren Engineering to design a new walkway that would allow the bulk of queuing to be done off the existing esplanade.

11. What will happen to the current ferry landing?

Once the new ferry landing is completed and operational, the existing landing will be removed. The portion of the current landing platform that is connected to the esplanade’s bulkhead will be repurposed as a public viewing area.

12. How is community feedback reflected on the design?

Input from residents, ferry riders, and park users has directly informed the design of the new Hunter’s Point South ferry landing. Based on this input, the design prioritizes protecting views, reducing disruptions to park activities, and improving safe and accessible access. Learn more about the new design and community engagement process.