Rail Yards

UPDATED JANUARY 27, 2010: CITY TAKES BIG STEP TOWARD THE HIGH LINE'S PRESERVATION AT THE RAIL YARDS

We're pleased to bring you news of another major milestone towards the full preservation of the High Line at the West Side Rail Yards. The Department of City Planning announced today that it has certified the City's application for approval of future acquisition of the High Line above 30th Street.

Read the full Press Release [PDF]

To understand the importance of this advance, it's helpful to remember that the City's 2005 acquisition of the High Line south of 30th Street was a crucial step in the preservation of that section. Similarly, we expect this action to lead ultimately to park construction on the northern end of the High Line.

Thank you for all your work in helping us get this far. This would have never happened without the tireless efforts of our High Line supporters. When the current planning process for the rail yards began over three years ago, many believed that the chances of preserving the High Line were slim to none. You came out to countless public review sessions, developer presentations, and City Council hearings, spoke out, and wrote letters of support. Though there is still much work to be done before the High Line's future is secure at the rail yards, this announcement is a true victory for the High Line.

Special thanks also go to the Department of City Planning, especially Chair Amanda Burden, who has long recognized the value of the High Line to the rail yards site, to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, whose leadership reversed the City policy to demolish the entire High Line in 2002, to the City Council under the leadership of Speaker Christine Quinn, who has been at the forefront of this advocacy campaign, to United States Representative Jerrold Nadler, who has worked towards the High Line's preservation at the rail yards for decades, to Borough President Scott Stringer, State Senator Tom Duane, Assemblymember Richard Gottfried, and all of our partners at Community Board 4 and Hudson Yards Community Advisory Committee. Without the support of our elected and government leaders, the High Line's preservation at the rail yards would be an impossible dream. Thanks also to the Related Companies, the site's developer, for their recognition of the High Line's value and their work to integrate it into their plans for the site.

The process that begins with this announcement, and ends in the City's official right to acquire the High Line above 30th Street, will likely take several months. Along the way, there will be a number of opportunities for public comment, and we will be urging our supporters to once again show up to support the High Line. You will be hearing from us in the coming weeks about these next steps. We are confident that with your continued support, our hard work will result in the full preservation of this iconic part of New York City's industrial past.

About the High Line at the Rail Yards

The full preservation of the High Line at the rail yards has long been one of Friends of the High Line's major advocacy campaigns. This is an iconic section of the Line, with breathtaking views to the Hudson River and crosstown to the Empire State Building and the Midtown skyline. It offers a possible connection to the Hudson River Park, as well as a series of open spaces being planned as part of the development of the West Side.

This 26-acre rail yards site is the future location of a massive development project, now being planned by the Related Companies, a private developer that is leasing development rights for the site from the MTA, a State agency. The site is currently home to working train yards, owned by the MTA and serving as a storage area for the Long Island Rail Road trains on their way to and from Penn Station. The developer will build a platform over the yards, with approximately 12 million square feet of commercial and residential space built on top of the platform.

While Related has indicated their support for keeping the High Line at the site, there is no legal requirement that they do so. Their plans have shown that one portion of the High Line in particular, the spur over 10th Avenue, would be demolished.

The preservation of the entire historic High Line has widespread community and public support, including that of Community Board 4 and every elected official representing the
area.

There has been no concrete reason given why part of the High Line should be torn down. The development at the West Side Rail Yards is certain to be a lengthy, complicated process involving many City, State and private parties. Friends of the High Line is optimistic about the future of the High Line at this location, but we will continue to work with the MTA, Related, and the City to ensure its full preservation.

For updates about our efforts to save the High Line at the West Side Rail Yards, please sign up for our email newsletter.