The Creation of Hudson River Park and the Challenges of Waterfront Resiliency
May 29, 2024, 6:30pm
PANELISTS:
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Tom Fox - Author
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Amy Chester - Policy Advisor - Rebuild by Design
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Alice Blank - Alice Blank - Chair, Environmental Protection Committee, Manhattan Community Board 1
MODERATOR:
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Michael Oreskes - Senior Reporter
We will dive into the depths of options for waterfront resiliency with our upcoming webinar featuring Tom Fox, author, and expert on the Hudson River Park. Join us as we explore creative strategies for safeguarding the West Side waterfront as described in Tom’s new book. As New York City continues the revitalization of our magnificent waterfronts, creative nature-based approaches must be part of the city’s plan to adapt to climate change and urban waterfront development. Join us online on May 29, 2024 at 6:30pm for our webinar "The Creation of the Hudson River Park and the Challenges of Waterfront Resiliency".
Following the panel discussion, panelists will answer questions from the audience.
Tom Fox
Tom Fox has been an urban park and environmental advocate for 50 years. Tom was a ranger at Gateway National Recreation Area, an original member of the Green Guerillas and the first president of the Hudson River Park Conservancy. He designed the 40-mile Brooklyn/Queens Greenway and was the founding co-chair of the Brooklyn Bridge Park Coalition. Fox was the co-founder and CEO of New York Water Taxi, a Loeb Fellow at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design and has served on nonprofit and corporate boards, and public commissions.
Amy Chester
With over 25 years of experience spanning municipal policy, community engagement, real estate development, and communications, Amy Chester has been a driving force in advocating for the built environment. As Managing Director of Rebuild by Design, she spearheaded an international design competition following Hurricane Sandy, securing $930 million from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development for implementable infrastructure projects. Under her leadership, Rebuild by Design evolved into an organization facilitating collaborative solutions worldwide for climate change, transportation, housing, and community equity. Chester's extensive background includes pivotal roles in NYC government initiatives, such as PlaNYC's public engagement strategy, and co-founding Resilience PAC to prioritize climate resilience in electoral campaigns.
Alice Blank
Alice Blank is Vice Chair of Manhattan Community Board 1 and Chair of the Board’s Environmental Protection Committee where she leads the community’s oversight of critical resiliency planning and advocacy efforts for lower Manhattan.
Alice is the principal of Alice Blank, Architect a design studio established in 1995, specializing in residential and commercial projects in the New York metropolitan area. Throughout her career, she has taught architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning with a particular interest on reimagining New York's archipelago of islands through design studios and competitions.
Alice has a long standing commitment to public service and currently serves as a Member of the Board of The Governors Island Trust and The City Club of New York, contributing to many environmental and preservation initiatives in the city.
Michael Oreskes
Michael Oreskes, is a senior reporter with Strauss Media. Prior to that he was NPR's Senior Vice President of News and Editorial Director. He brings 40 years of journalism experience. Prior to NPR, he held key roles at The Associated Press, The International Herald Tribune, and The New York Times, earning accolades for his contributions to journalism. He is also a vocal advocate for the importance of a free and independent press in today's democracy.