Case Studies

Bronx River Cement Plant Site Restoration

This cement plant on the Bronx River is not only an eyesore, but it has also hindered functioning of the river's ecosystem.

At one time, the Bronx River was so “pure and wholesome” that New York City officials considered using it to supply the city with drinking water. However, during the industrial revolution of the 19th century, the river valley was turned into an industrial corridor, and became what one official commission called an “open sewer.” Due to the nearly complete channelization and armoring of its banks, the intertidal portion of the Bronx River shows little of the vegetation that once dominated its shores. Stretches of bulkhead, sheet piling, and historic filling and dumping have left the area with contaminated soils unsuitable for fish and shellfish.

In 1996, partnerships were formed to begin river restoration, including the restoration of the riparian and tidal areas along the lower part of the river, which is also the most urban. A property that once contained a working cement plant was chosen as a site that would be converted into a wetland and riparian plant nursery. Restoration of this site involved removing large blocks of concrete and debris, re-grading the banks, replacing invasive plant species such as the Japanese knotwood with native species, and installing coir mats loaded with cordgrass, a native species that prevents erosion better than its invasive counterpart.

cord grass growing on mats nearcement plant

Cordgrass is grown on mats near the cement plant. When they are ready, the mats are then moved into the river to recreate a brackish marsh.

“An extraordinary partnership of more than 70 community organizations, public agencies, and businesses is working together to restore the Bronx River to its full potential as a natural and community resource,” said Linda Cox, Executive Director of the Bronx River Alliance and Bronx River Administrator for City of New York Parks & Recreation. “Our success in transforming a derelict concrete plant into a prized community asset exemplifies the progress we are making and the powerful effect that partnerships grounded in communities can have."

Partner organizations in this project include: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Wildlife Conservation Society, City Parks Foundation, City of New York Parks and Recreation Natural Resources Group, Bronx River Alliance Conservation Corps, Sustainable South Bronx, Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice, Rocking the Boat, Lehman College, The Point Community Development Corporation, New York City Environmental Justice Alliance and Fanny Lou Hamer High School.

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