NEW YORK — The signage outside of what used to be the NYPD’s Manhattan Tow Pound at Pier 76 is now gone and the entrance is locked.

Behind the gates, part of the building has been demolished and there are a few construction vehicles on site.

On Wednesday, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that plans to transform the waterfront property into a new recreational space were now underway.

What You Need To Know

  • Cuomo announced that New York State has begun Phase 1 of the transformation of Pier 76 into new recreational space that will be ready to open to the public in less than three months

  • The former NYPD impound parking facility on Manhattan's western shoreline will be renovated on an expedited schedule, preparing Pier 76 for its inclusion in Hudson River Park

  • The state recently took possession of Pier 76, located at West 38th Street & 12th Avenue, from New York City, which had used the 5.6-acre site and structure as a police department impound lot facility
  • The $20 million construction project, which also includes environmental abatement, repaving, and installation of railings and lighting, is expected to be complete by June 1

In a press release, Cuomo said that the effort to transform the land at West 38th Street & 12th Avenue into another part of Hudson River Park was on an expedited schedule.

NY1, however, found little action at the 5.6 acre site only several hours after the announcement was made.

Manhattan residents were still thrilled to hear that the property, along the Hudson River, would soon be opening up for public use.

“I think it’s wonderful. I mean live on the East Side. I love the East Side, but the West Side, it’s such a better path to run on and this path is amazing and this is part of the run...you have to look forward because there’s nothing nice to look at here,” said Manhattan resident Ellen Pachnanda.

The Governor’s Office has released several renderings of what they envision for the $20 million construction project.

Photo courtesy of the Governor's Office.

Included in that price tag are costs associated with environmental abatement, repaving, and installation of railings and lighting.

The plans also include leaving the old impound facility’s steel support structure up, at least temporarily, to provide partial shade to park visitors.

“Me and my friends come down here a lot. I think it would definitely be a net add,” said Manhattan resident Steven Corbin of the plan.

Considering it took more than 20 years for the tow pound to vacate their old spot, some locals had questions about whether the project could really be ready to go in time.

Cuomo said that the site will be open to the public on June 1.

“That’s a very quick timeline I don’t know how they are going to do it but I’m excited to see what happens,” said Manhattan resident Nic Alexis.

The tow pound’s departure isn’t exactly good news for everyone.

According to a spokesperson, “The NYPD is actively pursuing suitable locations to relocate the operations to.”

But, the NYPD gave the same statement to NY1 in 2019 when they were asked about plans to move the tow yard for another story.

Currently, vehicles that are towed from places in Manhattan are taken to either the Bronx or Brooklyn Tow Pounds.

Vehicles picked up north of 59th Street go to the Bronx Tow Pound and those picked up south of 59th Street are taken to Brooklyn Tow Pound.

Either way, people who have their cars towed in Manhattan will have to travel to another borough to retrieve their vehicle.

“That’s definitely an inconvenience to get from Manhattan to Brooklyn, that’s a serious inconvenience,” said Reggie Ham, who was picking up his car at the Brooklyn Tow Pound.

It’s a situation that’s likely occur many times over,  half of all the city’s car towing takes place in Manhattan.