Weren't the barges positioned between 23rd Street and 42nd Street in the past? Seems like they've moved them farther downtown.

http://www1.macys.com/campaign/sitelets/fireworks/viewing.jsp

Public viewing takes place in two locations.
"Our dazzling, state-of-the-art pyrotechnics will be launched from our traditional East River location between 10th and 23rd Streets. And, as part of Downtown NYC River to River Festival's sixth blockbuster season and annual Independence Day concert, Macy's is extending the show down to South Street Seaport and Brooklyn Bridge.

"Spectators can watch the fireworks from any point in Manhattan, Brooklyn or Queens with unobstructed views of the sky above the East River."

I think they are referring to the positions of the viewing stands.  The stands for dignataries etc for our part of town have always been at 23rd st and the barges are placed up-river from there.

I am just very disapointed that they did not bring Grucci back to mastermind the event.

gosh...if only I was already moved into my south-facing apt @ One Hunters Point....prime location for catching the fireworks!!

   From the look of the map on the Macy's site (from the provided link), it appears that the barges indeed, are more than a mile further downriver than they used to be.  The Greenpoint waterfront will appear to have the eastern shore premium spots; a prized position which used to belong to the Hunters Point waterfront. 

   Maybe all of those in Hunters Point, who wish the fireworks barges to return to their more northerly positions, should write to Macy's, to let them know.  Starting a petition and having it circulated in the neighborhood for the next six months or so, should hopefully provide enough signatures, along with individual requests from business owners, Community Board 2, and from all of the elected representatives for the area. 

   The fireworks show brings huge numbers of people into the neighborhood.  It's like Christmas in July for the local businesses, and for some, it's their biggest sales day of the year (or close to it).  Looking at the big picture, it's the biggest day of the year, period, for Hunters Point.  A lot less people coming to experience the show, due to the loss of this prime viewing location, will mean that much less business for the local shops.  In addition, the real estate salespeople probably use it as a selling/enticing point in their sales pitches.  Without the very up close and personal, in-your-face fireworks show, as has usually been the case, there very well might be less Independence Day parties in the waterfront buildings, which is both a lost selling point for the buildings' agents, and more loss (or less gain, in reference to the unfinished ones) for the local businesses.  It might affect overall apartment sales, but that's really a big unknown, as there would be too many variables in that equation.

Charlie. 

       

     

Charlie - You are correct.  That 3rd barge was always farther up-river - in fact it was always in the vicinity of 48th Ave--.even before waterfront development!  Actually, they did the same thing last year with much of the action taking place much lower in the sky than usual.  It seems they are really playing to a TV audience rather than the local people watching it "live" from the usual vantage points along the river.  And most of all - I really miss that grand Grucci finale.  For the past few years - no finale- just a fizzle and fade out. Hope they do better this year.