Lower Manhattan Residents Raise Concerns Over FDR Drive Encampment

Residents and employees in the Stuyvesant Town–Peter Cooper Village area are calling for city intervention regarding a persistent homeless encampment situated beneath the FDR Drive. The stretch between 17th and 23rd Streets, which was previously restricted for years due to the East Side Coastal Resiliency Project, has become a site for makeshift shelters, according to local reports.

Community members have described the accumulation of debris, including discarded household items and clothing, as a significant public health concern. Some residents noted that the presence of waste has created unsanitary conditions, while others expressed unease regarding the proximity of the encampment to the Murphy Brothers Playground. Observers have reported seeing individuals accessing the area by bypassing construction fencing and, in some instances, tampering with local fire hydrants.

Tre’Shon Coleman, a worker at the nearby Skyport Marina, described the situation as a complex challenge, noting that the area has seen increased activity since the completion of the flood-mitigation construction.

The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) has acknowledged the ongoing quality-of-life issues at the site. A spokesperson for the agency stated that outreach teams are conducting regular engagement to offer shelter and social services to those living in the area. According to the DHS, cleanup operations were carried out on June 22 and July 27, with an additional sanitation effort scheduled for the week of August 3, 2026.

While some residents expressed sympathy for the individuals living in the encampment, many emphasized that the current conditions are unsustainable. Concerns remain regarding the long-term management of the space and the adequacy of available shelter options for those currently residing under the highway.