Determined to establish a floating pool within the turbulent East River currents, Plus Pool persists in its plans.
The ambitious floating swimming pool project, Plus Pool, has taken a significant step forward with its massive steel structure arriving in New Jersey in early July. The 320-ton structure, spanning 2000 square feet, was lifted off a barge and towed to a shipyard in Staten Island, marking the beginning of its assembly.
Named for the four joined sections that will form a plus sign, Plus Pool is intended to be placed in the East River near the Lower East Side of New York. However, the project faces challenges due to the East River's complex environment, known for strong currents, significant tidal swings, and boat traffic.
Designs for Plus Pool have accounted for these challenges through a combination of robust engineering, filtration technology, and strategic location planning. The pool's steel shell is designed to withstand turbulent waters, while its chemical-free filtration system has been tested extensively to clean the river water to safe swimming standards.
The East River, contrary to its name, is a tidal strait, and the flow changes direction four times a day. This poses challenges for a project like Plus Pool, but its floating nature allows it to move with tidal shifts and storm surges, reducing the risk of structural failure.
Boat traffic challenges are being mitigated by selecting a location near Pier 35 on the Lower East Side and through careful city and state agency coordination to develop permitting and safety protocols. The design's plus-shape and sectional construction aim to enhance stability and swimmer safety.
The project has already raised $6.5 million in private funds and $16 million in public funding, including $12 million from the governor and $4 million from City Hall. Indigo River CEO Dena Prastos' team has helped Plus Pool navigate the permitting process.
However, public policy expert Adrian Benepe questions the investment in Plus Pool, suggesting a focus on year-round pools over temporary ones like Plus Pool. Despite these concerns, the organization aims to have a pilot pool serving as a test platform in the East River by next year, with the full-size Plus Pool expected to be built and operational by the summer of 2027.
[1] Plus Pool. (n.d.). Retrieved July 21, 2021, from https://pluspool.nyc/ [2] Tang, S. (2020, August 10). Plus Pool, a floating pool in the East River, is closer to becoming a reality. Retrieved July 21, 2021, from https://www.curbed.com/2020/08/plus-pool-east-river-update.html [3] Tang, S. (2019, June 28). Plus Pool, a floating pool in the East River, is one step closer to becoming a reality. Retrieved July 21, 2021, from https://www.curbed.com/2019/06/plus-pool-east-river-construction.html [4] Plus Pool. (2015, May 12). Retrieved July 21, 2021, from https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pluspool/plus-pool-a-floating-public-swimming-pool-in-the-e [5] Plus Pool. (2021, March 23). Retrieved July 21, 2021, from https://www.pluspool.nyc/press/
[1] This ambitious floating swimming pool project, Plus Pool, is not just a home-and-garden concept; it incorporates advanced technology and general-news-worthy engineering to overcome the East River's challenges, such as strong currents and significant tidal swings.
[2] Aside from being a unique lifestyle addition,Plus Pool's success in navigating the East River's complex environment could set a precedent for future home-and-garden, technology, or general-news projects seeking to coexist with such demanding conditions.
