Island. Prastos believes such a project is the perfect opportunity for Indigo River, as it aligns with their core beliefs. In such a rare op- portunity, the symbolic meaning of this pier redesign project is on par with its practical implications. Being one of the primary access points for the Island’s millions of visitors, Indigo River is responsible for a design that reflects its status as a leader for climate solutions. This is a task that Prastos doesn’t shy away from, emphasizing the importance of creating a “landing onto the climate solutions center of the world.” As New York City positions itself as a leader in climate solutions, there is a simultaneous push to continue improving its waterfronts for both ecological and recreational purposes. Indigo River is also playing a large role in this endeavor, partnering with groups such as Scenic Hud - son to improve waterfront access. The largest environmental group in the Hudson Valley, Scenic Hudson has decades of expertise in preser - vation, land use, community advocacy, and strategic planning. One of Scenic Hudson’s ongoing projects is the Westchester RiverWalk, which is a proposed 51-mile trail. So far, 32 miles of the trail have been completed, and Indigo River is part of the team providing a criti- cal link in the trail. Indigo River is providing owner’s representative services to Scenic Hudson for the development of the Westchester Riverwalk Connec - tion–a 0.9-mile shared-use trail along the Hudson River shoreline in Tarrytown. On top of providing a crucial link, this proposed project will provide an alternative to automobile travel–including a direct pe- destrian and bicycle connection to the Tarrytown Metro-North Station. During the project, Indigo River will manage environmental review and associated studies in coordination with a consultant team. They will also manage project permitting and design development. By lend- ing their waterfront expertise to the design and permitting of the trail along the Hudson River, Indigo River is again aligning the symbolic with the physical, as this new trail will not only greatly improve access to the riverfront but will do so in a way that reflects Indigo River’s driving passion for improving such spaces. While Indigo River’s commitment to improving waterfront spaces is evident in their influence on the built environment, it is also evident in equal measures through their commitment to workforce develop- ment. In what Prastos calls a “moment of opportunity,” Indigo River has recently entered into offshore wind. This opportunity was born out of a synthesis of experience with land-side port planning and a desire to invest in minority and disadvantaged communities. Indigo River is part of a joint venture aimed at improving the workforce for offshore wind; launched in March 2023, the first part of this venture between the New York City Economic Development Council (NYCEDC) and TMI Waterfront Solutions was an offshore wind training program for Minority, Women-Owned, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (MWDBEs). The goal of this program, named OSW NYC Waterfront Pathways Program, is to eliminate barriers and ease participation in contracts. Indigo River's role in the program shows their dedication towards their core values as they seek to pivot the waterfront construc- tion and offshore wind industries. Another component of this joint venture is seeking to eliminate many of the barriers that currently exist in offshore wind workforce training. In
an effort to eliminate any barriers imposed by a single location, Indigo River is part of a group that purchased a barge and fitted it with an off - shore wind training school. By providing workforce development and training on a floating platform, Prastos believes this converted barge is an important step in providing environmental justice to disadvantaged communities. According to Prastos, a mobile workforce development tool is important because it lessens the need for potential users to rely upon transportation. In this manner, this paradigm-shifting idea changes the way the AEC industry defines its assets and forces us to challenge our way of doing things. As New York City continues to build spaces and attract talent to make it the center of climate change research for the United States, and perhaps the world, the changing of its built environment serves as vanguard. Updates and changes in the built environment reflect progress in this status, and Indigo River’s influence in this regard is increasing with the announcement of each new project. As a tangent result of this influence, Indigo River is seeking to build a future that not only protects us from climate change, but one that is free of the barriers that defined the past.
LUKE CAROTHERS is the Editor for Civil + Structural Engineer Media. If you want us to cover your project or want to feature your own article, he can be reached at lcarothers@zweiggroup.com.
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April 2023 csengineermag.com
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