[3] Prior to this time, the East River waterfront had been an active shipping yard and later became home to many of the city's poorest immigrants.

Companies throughout the U.S. donated materials for the reconstruction, and the project was finished in record time and dedicated to those children who lost parents in the attacks.

[11] Starting in early 2018 the City underwent a months-long internal "value engineering review", in which they met with designers and planners to determine the feasibility of the proposal.

A FOIA request for documentation of this review process revealed several obstacles to the original plan, including concerns about flooding and the location of high-voltage Con-Edison power lines.

[8] In September 2018 the office of Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that, based on the findings of the internal value engineering review, the proposed berm would be completely removed and the whole park would be raised.

In July 2019, the new plan was presented to Community Board 3 by the Department of Design and Construction (DDC), following several months of public consultation with residents.

[17] In early 2022, construction on the southern half of the park commenced, beginning with the demolition of athletic fields, the amphitheater, and a section of the East River Esplanade.

[22][23] Critics of the current renovation plan have voiced concerns over the cost, oversight, lack of resident involvement, destruction of plants (including more than 1,000 mature trees), and animal habitats.

[17][24] Supporters of the current plan include Councilwoman Rivera, other Democratic politicians, and Good Old Lower East Side (GOLES).

[26][27] State Supreme Court Justice Melissa Crane ruled against opposition groups and in August 2020, the city was given approval to begin park demolition.

[30][31] State Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou and incoming city councilman Christopher Marte expressed support for the protesters.