Speaker Julie Menin Announces Reopening of 71st Street Pedestrian Ramp, Reconnecting Upper East Side Residents to Waterfront

NEW YORK, NY - New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin announced yesterday that the 71st Street pedestrian ramp connecting Yorkville to the East River Esplanade has reopened, restoring an access point for residents to the waterfront. Additionally, the stretch of the East River Esplanade between East 70th and East 78th streets will be completed and restored in stages through October. The pedestrian ramp has been closed to the public since July 2025.

The reconstruction is part of the Hospital for Special Surgery's (HSS) project to advance infrastructure improvements along the East River Esplanade. The improvements, coordinated in partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC), will result in a contiguous esplanade from East 53rd Street to East 114th Street in late 2026.

Photos of the announcement can be found here.

"The East River Esplanade is a treasured public space for residents and visitors alike, and that's why we pushed so hard to improve and restore access to this critical stretch," said Speaker Julie Menin. "I'm thrilled we were able to open the 71st Street pedestrian ramp to ensure New Yorkers can connect to the waterfront. I thank Hospital for Special Surgery, Friends of the East River Esplanade, the Parks Department, Economic Development Corporation, and Community Board 8 for their partnership on this entire project."

HSS' restoration project includes structural repairs, including the remediation of a sinkhole near the base of the East 78th Street ramp and seawall improvements. It also includes surface upgrades, including pavers, landscaping, and the installation of fitness equipment in the area. As part of the overhaul, the 78th Street pedestrian bridge will be closed starting this month.

"HSS is enormously grateful to Speaker Menin, the Parks Department, and so many members of the community for their support and partnership in enabling this Esplanade improvement," said Mary Cassai, MPA, RN, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS). "A centerpiece of our main campus, the Esplanade is a source of daily wellness and delight for our staff, our neighbors, and the patients who travel to HSS from all 50 states and more than 100 countries."

###