Crimson Red Sports

Abstract: Negotiations to sell or otherwise transfer the Robert Moses Playground property in New York City to the United Nations for the construction of a second tower have proceeded quickly over the summer, and a final deal appears to be imminent. Regrettably, these negotiations have not included robust congressional consultation even though the associated costs of the project for the U.S. federal government, which pays 22 percent of the U.N. regular budget, would likely be significant. The Administration and Congress should immediately announce their interest in this issue and request detailed information about the project. Congress should also prohibit the use of any federal funds to support this project until relevant information is provided to the appropriate committees.


The United Nations, with support from New York City officials, for years has expressed interest in building a second U.N. tower on the Robert Moses Playground, which is located just south of the current United Nations building along the East River. This would allow the U.N. to connect the two towers with an underground tunnel to facilitate movement between the two buildings.

The New York City government supports this project because it would significantly advance Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s long-term waterfront renovation plan, Vision 2020, by facilitating the construction of a waterfront esplanade along the East River. Mayor Bloomberg first proposed building a new U.N. office building on the playground site in 2002. The proposal was rejected by the New York State Legislature in 2005, in large part because of objections from local residents who did not want to lose the park.[2]

The plan has been pursued quietly since that vote. In 2007, Mayor Bloomberg offered to compensate local residents for the loss of the playground with a bike path and a waterfront esplanade along the East River. On December 8, 2010, the Manhattan Community Board 6 approved the plan provided replacement parkland is identified.