Begin Site Feasibility Phase

With the successful tests of the Float Lab and deciding to structure + POOL as a non-profit behind us, a lot of the big questions were answered. We knew we could consistently filter out bacteria from the river for swimming, and we had an organization to develop it. Whew. That’s a lot.

The next huge hurdle was to understand exactly where + POOL could go. Before we could go to the City of New York to start talking about where they might let us build + POOL, we had to figure out exactly where it would physically fit. This included not only testing water quality to determine how + POOL’s filtration system might affect different sites, but also studying each site’s physical conditions: available surface area, water depth, current speeds, 100 yr flood wave height, tide elevation differences, general harbor conditions.

The process took nearly 6 months, studying upwards of 12 sites all over New York City, working closely with our marine engineers at McLaren Engineering.

Throughout the process we were able to start meeting with a variety of landowners and stakeholders to discuss partnerships and opportunities. Each site along New York’s waterfront is operated by a dizzying gradient of different entities, from private developers to the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation to the NYC Economic Development Corporation. Needless to say, this started us on a really, really busy path ahead.

And just for fun, we made real vintage postcards of + POOL at every single site. We sent them out to folks we knew and used them at our Fall Gala.  We may still have a few left if you inquire through our shop.

Press: Curbed, NY1, Thrillist, TimeOut NY, Queens Courier