March 18, 2025

Additional Photos of the Gate Houses are Available Here

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has issued a Request for Information from any entities who are interested in submitting ideas for the potential restoration and conversion of two of the historic gate houses situated adjacent to Central Park’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir. DEP is interested in determining whether the gate houses can be developed into multipurpose educational spaces that celebrate the history of the reservoir and the City’s water supply system. Responses must be received by April 7, 2025.

“New York City’s water supply system is the lifeblood of the five boroughs but much of it is unseen by the public and we hope to be able to convert these historic gatehouses at Central Park’s Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir into spaces where the public can interact with and learn about the history of the water supply,” said DEP Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala. “We welcome all ideas about how best to utilize these unique buildings that are located in a high-traffic area to celebrate an essential part of both the city’s past, and an indispensable part of our future.”

The reservoir was built between 1858 and 1862 to store drinking water for New York City from its new upstate water supply, sourced from Westchester and Putnam Counties. As the City continued to grow, additional upstate reservoirs and tunnels were constructed, eventually rendering the in-city reservoir obsolete. The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir was decommissioned as part of the drinking water supply system in 1993 and today it serves as a popular destination for jogging and walking in Central Park. There are three gate houses adjacent to the reservoir that house functioning operational equipment for the reservoir. Only two of the three gate houses are suitable for potential conversion and public use.

The gate houses remain critical operational features of the reservoir and any restoration and conversion would need to allow for access to the equipment in a way that satisfies all relevant DEP policies and state and federal regulations.

DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing approximately 1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water each day to nearly 10 million residents, including 8.5 million in New York City. The water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the city, comprising 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes. Approximately 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels and aqueducts bring water to homes and businesses throughout the five boroughs, and 7,500 miles of sewer lines and 96 pump stations take wastewater to 14 in-city treatment plants. DEP also protects the health and safety of New Yorkers by enforcing the Air and Noise Codes and asbestos rules. DEP has a robust capital program, with a planned $37 billion in investments over the next 10 years. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook, or follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter.