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High Line Celebrates Its One-Year Anniversary
June 09, 2010 | Author: Auzelle Epeneter | Categories: , , , , , , ,

pipe Click this image to view full slideshow of a Year in Pictures. First photo by Iwan Baan.
 

A Year in Pictures
It's been a year! One year ago today, the first section of the High Line opened to the public. The High Line's first year as a public park has been extraordinary, with more than two million visitors from New York and around the world coming to see and experience the park. To reflect upon our first year, we wanted to share with you our favorite photographs.

Celebration Tonight
Please join us tonight for a special talk and reception in the Chelsea Market Passage on the High Line. Peter Mullan, our Vice President of Planning & Design, will present and discuss plans for Section 2. Immediately following Peter's talk, we will host a reception with Appalachian stringband music by Stephanie Coleman, Eamon O'Leary, and Cleek Schrey, and refreshments available from People's Pops. Festivities begin at 6:30 PM. Visit our Events Calendar to learn more.

High Line Merch
We're also offering promotions on items in our Web Shop. Get a code for 50% discount, or win an umbrella by tweeting us your favorite memory with the hash-tag, #highlinebirthday.

Rail Yards ULURP Vote
Our first anniversary is enough cause to celebrate, but today also brings good news on our effort to preserve the High Line at the West Side Rail Yards. We are pleased to announce that the City Planning Commission led by Chair Amanda Burden today voted to approve the City's application to allow it to acquire the High Line at the rail yards.

While there is still much to be done to guarantee the High Line's future at the rail yards, creating the option for the City to acquire this section is a major, positive step toward our ultimate goal: full preservation of the High Line north of 30th Street, including the 10th Avenue Spur, and completion of the High Line all the way to 34th Street.

Today's vote paves the way for the final vote at the City Council. We would like to thank Mayor Michael Bloomberg, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, City Planning Chair Amanda Burden and our supporters who have joined us in advocating for the High Line at the rail yards, including Congressman Jerold Nadler, State Senator Tom Duane, Assembly Member Richard Gottfried, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, and Community Board 4. We look forward to seeing everyone at the City Council in the coming weeks to advocate for the full preservation of this iconic part of New York's industrial history.

Friends of the High Line is grateful to The New York Community Trust — LuEsther T. Mertz Advised Fund and the Greenacre Foundation for their dedicated support to our rail yards advocacy and public programming this year.

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High Line at the Rail Yards: Public Hearing Round-Up
May 12, 2010 | Author: Kate Lindquist | Categories: , , , ,

EnlargeView from the High Line
at the West Side Rail Yards.

We are one step closer toward saving the High Line at the West Side Rail Yards.

Earlier today at a public meeting, the City Planning Commission heard statements of support for the ULURP application that would allow the City to acquire the High Line at the West Side Rail Yards.

The City Planning Commission will make a decision on the ULURP application in the next few weeks. We hope they will approve it, paving the way for a final vote at the City Council.

Thank you to all our supporters who joined us at today’s public hearing. We look forward to seeing you again very soon as we continue advocating for the full preservation of this iconic part of New York’s industrial history.

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Save the High Line at the Rail Yards: Upcoming Public Hearing
May 10, 2010 | Author: Kate Lindquist | Categories: , , , ,

From the beginning, it has always been our vision to preserve the entire High Line, from Gansevoort Street all the way to 34th Street, through the West Side Rail Yards.

On Wednesday, May 12, the City Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider the City's ULURP application to allow it to acquire the High Line at the West Side Rail Yards. Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and Community Board 4 have already recommended approval of the proposal, but obtaining approval from the City Planning Commission is required to move the application forward.

The most effective way to show your support is by attending the City Planning Commission’s upcoming public hearing.

City Planning Commission Public Hearing
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
10:00 AM
22 Reade Street, Spector Hall
New York, NY 10007

This is your last chance to show your support before the proposal goes to the City Council for a final public hearing and vote. Please join us! RSVP by e-mailing railyards@thehighline.org.

We will have a limited number of red t-shirts saying "Save the High Line at the Rail Yards" or "Save the Spur" for supporters to wear during the hearing. If you already have a red t-shirt, please wear it to show your support!

Please note that the hearing will begin at 10:00 AM. To ensure a seat at the hearing, we recommend arriving between 9:30 and 10:00 AM. While we do not know the exact time our proposal will be considered, the High Line is the second item on the agenda for that day, so chances are that we will be heard shortly after 10:00 AM.

Any amount of time that you are able to join us at the hearing – a half hour, one hour, or more – will help us show the Commission that the public continues to support the preservation of the entire High Line. Help us preserve this iconic part of New York’s industrial history.

pipe Photo courtesy Alex S. MacLean/Landslides Aerial Photography.
 

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Great News for the High Line at the Rail Yards
January 28, 2010 | Author: Julia Boyer | Categories: , ,

pipe Photo courtesy Alex S. MacLean/Landslides Aerial Photography.
 

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]

This certification kicks off the seven-month Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), during which there will be several opportunities for public input. Along the way, we hope you will come out and show your support for the High Line's preservation, as you have so many times before. We will push for the City to take ownership of the High Line and ensure that its future is determined by the public.

Though today's announcement does not guarantee preservation of the High Line, the City's move toward High Line acquisition is a major positive step towards achieving our ultimate goals: full preservation of the historic structure north of 30th Street, including the 10th Avenue Spur, and completion of the High Line project all the way to 34th Street.

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November 23 Rail Yards Hearing: Note Location Change!
November 14, 2009 | Author: admin | Categories: ,

maclean Alex S. MacLean/Landslides Aerial Photography
 

We need your help at City Hall on Monday, November 23, as the City Council's Zoning Subcommittee holds a final public hearing on the rezoning of the Western Rail Yards.

City Council Hearing on Western Rail Yards
Monday, November 23, 9:30 AM
City Hall, 260 Broadway, Council Chamber
(Please note the location change)
Subway: A, C, E, to Chambers; 1,2, to Park Place; 6, N, R to Bklyn Bridge/City Hall

RSVP

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PARK(ing) Day NYC this Friday
September 16, 2009 | Author: admin | Categories: , , , , , ,

Parking Day 2008 Video from Streetfilms



Park(ing) Day, one of our favorite yearly public space happenings, takes to the New York City streets this Friday!

This international event transforms metered parking spaces into playgrounds, parks, creative installations, and unusual meeting-grounds for all to hit the pavement and enjoy. Converting car-intended spots throughout the five boroughs, these park(ing) spaces are a great example of  street-space reclaimed. Park(ing) Day's mission doesn't sound too far off from the High Line's reclamation of  space for the public.

Last year the High Line participated in the Park(ing) Day extravaganza, one of 57 spaces across the city. This year, our newly-opened park hovers 30 feet higher than most parking spaces, but encourages you to check out a nearby Park(ing) Day space on ground level. A map and description of all the spots is here.

One of our favorites is right here in the neighborhood.  Weave the Hearts, sponsored by the West Harlem Art Fund and created by Japanese artist Shintaro Tokairin, can be located at 400 W. 14th Street, near 9th Avenue. Tokairin has created a woven installation piece which will encapsulate the space, inviting visitors to relax and indulge in the artistically-inspired parking spot.


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Save Jersey City's High Line-- Deadline Tomorrow!
April 06, 2009 | Categories: ,

embankment
 

Like the High Line? Want to help with our sister project? Now's your chance!

The Harsimus Stem Embankment, an elevated stone structure that runs for a half mile along 6th street in downtown Jersey City needs your help. The Embankment Preservation Coalition is the non-profit group working to preserve the Embankment, develop its top as  open space, and integrate the site into a network of local and regional pedestrian and biking trails.

The Coalition needs as many supporters as possible to immediately file an environmental comment with the Surface Transportation Board-- the same government body through which the High Line is preserved.

The process is simple, and only takes a moment. Click here to view the instructions on how to help and to help preserve an "irreplaceable historic and environemental resource." The deadline is April 7th at 4:00 PM, so act now!

View the action alert here.
View the Harsimus Stem Embankment Website here.

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Rail Yards Hearing Tomorrow- Note Location Change!
March 30, 2009 | Categories: ,

railyards
 

**Tomorrow's City Council hearing has been moved to 250 Broadway, right across the street from City Hall.**

Please come show your support tomorrow morning for the full preservation of the High Line at the West Side Rail Yards, and get a free "Save the High Line at the Rail Yards" T-shirt.

City Council Hearing on Eastern Rail Yards Rezoning

Tuesday, March 31

9:30 AM

NEW LOCATION: 250 Broadway (between Park Place and Murray Street)

16th Floor Conference Room

railyards@thehighline.org

Subway: A, C, E, to Chambers; 2,3, to Park Place; 6, N, R to Bklyn Bridge/City Hall

Meeting Location: We will have staff stationed outside the front door of 250 Broadway, across from City Hall. Please check in with us and get your T-shirt before going inside.

Make sure to bring photo ID, as you will have to go through a security checkpoint on your way into the building. Tell the security staff you are going to the 16th floor for the Zoning and Franchises Subcommittee meeting.

The hearing is scheduled to begin at 9:30. It's okay if you can't be at the hearing right at the beginning, or if you can only stay for a little while. The Eastern Rail Yards zoning is one of three agenda items, and the hearing will last as long as there are people speaking.

Please RSVP: railyards@thehighline.org

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Rail Yards: City Planning Hears Testimony on ERY Zoning
February 05, 2009 | Categories: ,

Eastern Rail yards Land use at the Eastern Rail Yards, from the existing 2005 zoning plan.
 
This morning, the City Planning Commission heard public testimony on proposed amendments to the zoning of the Eastern Rail Yards.

While the draft amendments don't specifically concern preservation of the High Line, they represent an important and necessary step for the Related Companies in getting City approvals for the development of the rail yards site. (The public review process is moving forward as originally planned, despite the recently-announced delay to the closing of the agreement between Related and the MTA.)

FHL's Director of Planning, Peter Mullan, along with Anna Hayes Levin of the Hudson Yards Community Advisory Committee, urged the City Planning Commission to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that the entire High Line at the rail yards is preserved. Though such measures weren't part of the zoning amendments, the idea is popular with the community and local leadership.

Now the City Planning Commission will have 60 days to review the amendments and make a recommendation to the City Council. The Council will then vote on whether to approve the amendments.

There will likely be another opportunity for public input before the City Council vote-- we'll keep you posted on opportunities to speak out in favor of the High Line!

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Rail Yards Update: CB4 and BP Stringer Call to Save the Spur
January 27, 2009 | Author: Michelle Sharkey | Categories: ,

Enlarge

The support for the full preservation of the High Line at the rail yards continues to grow-- Community Board 4 and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer have both added their voices to the call to save the spur.

At a recent full Board meeting, Community Board 4 made a clear statement advocating preservation of the entire High Line at the Eastern Rail Yards, including the spur over 10th Avenue.

In a letter addressed to the City Planning Commission, CB4 recommended approval of City Planning's proposed text amendments to the zoning plan for the Eastern Rail Yards—but at the same time, they requested additional text amendments to ensure that the entire High Line would be protected.

CB4's letter points out that though Related shows the entire High Line in its drawing for the site, "the brutal truth of the situation is that the High Line on the ERY and the WRY remains unprotected and at serious risk of demolition. Now is the time to put in place the zoning protections to ensure that the High Line will be preserved."

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer's zoning amendment recommendation to City Planning include an equally strong call to save the spur. In his letter to City Planning Chair Amanda Burden, he wrote, "Redeveloping the rail yards must not threaten any portion of the High Line, including the spur; it should be preserved in its entirety."

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