FHL E-Mail Newsletter
May 14, 2007
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UPDATE: SAVING THE HIGH LINE AT THE WEST SIDE RAIL YARDS
Design guidelines presented by HYDC Tuesday night showed an option (left) with the historic High Line preserved along 12th Avenue and an option (right) with the structure torn down and replaced with an extension of the platform over the tracks.
On Tuesday, May 8, more than 100 High Line supporters turned out to a public meeting on the future of the West Side Rail
Yards. As you may know, the rail yards section of the High Line (from 30th to 34th Street) is threatened with demolition, even as the southern, railbanked section (from Gansevoort to
30th Street) is under construction as a new park.
The big news of the night: the MTA, which owns the rail yards, announced for the first time that it supports the goal of preserving the High Line structure, if doing so does not present major unforseen costs or obstruct construction on the site. This marks a major advance in our efforts to preserve the High Line at the rail yards, but it does not mean that the future of this part of the High Line is secure. Friends of the High Line must continue to work in upcoming weeks and months to ensure that the entire historic structure of the High Line is preserved at the rail yards. If you are interested in volunteering to help us in this effort, e-mail railyards@thehighline.org. And if you'd like to help with a contribution, we've made it easy to donate
online.
The larger purpose of the May 8 meeting, which was hosted by the Hudson Yards Development Corporation (HYDC) and Community
Board 4 was to publicly present, for the first time, design guidelines for the site, created by HYDC.
Download Design Guidelines (1MB PDF)
In May or June, the MTA will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP), and developers will begin to assemble plans and bids.
The presence of so many of FHL's supporters made a big impact on Tuesday night. Thanks to all who attended. Thanks also to Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer,
who spoke at the meeting and voiced his strong support for preservation of the High Line at the rail yards.
Today, Crain's New York Business ran an article in which sources argued that the High Line should be demolished at the rail yards because it would "impede development," citing reasons that Friends
of the High Line has already investigated and disproved. For instance, it was asserted that the High Line would make it difficult for builders to bring cranes to the site. Our expert consultants have studied
this question and found that even the largest cranes can fit under the High Line. In a future e-mail newsletter, we will offer our response to each of the arguments presented in today's
Crain's article (available to online subscribers). Our assessments show that the High Line creates no major cost obstacles to building at the site and that there is currently no credible rationale
for its demolition.
Links to several media reports are below. The articles are varied in their focus and in their level of optimism about the High Line's future. As you can see, this is a complex and
sometimes confusing issue, and we welcome your questions. Please e-mail railyards@thehighline.org with
any questions or concerns.
Read the New York Post Article
Read the New York Sun Article
Read the New York Observer Article
Read the Real Deal Article
Watch our e-mail newsletter for further updates around this important issue.
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TONIGHT: DESIGN PRESENTATION WITH JAMES CORNER, FIELD OPERATIONS FREE
 
James Corner, landscape architect and urban designer, will give a free design presentation featuring Field
Operations'
work at Fresh Kills (pictured above left), the landfill on Staten Island being converted to parkland, and the High Line. Corner is the founder and director of Field Operations, team
lead on the High Line design team, working with architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro. This presentation is being held in conjunction with
the High
Line Festival, curated by David Bowie and running through May 19. RSVP is required.
High Line Design Presentation with James Corner
Tonight: May 14, 6:30 PM
Great Hall, Cooper Union
7 East 7th Street at Third Avenue
RSVP
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MAY 18: PANEL DISCUSSION – ARCHITECTURE AROUND THE HIGH LINE FREE
Join FHL and the Meatpacking District Initiative for a free
panel discussion by architects and designers currently working on projects near the High Line. Panelists include Dan Wood of WORKac (Diane von Furstenberg building), Morris Adijmi of
MA (Theory building), Todd Schliemann of Polshek Partnership (Standard Hotel), Scott Newman of Cooper Robertson (Whitney Museum with Renzo Piano), as well as the High Line designer Lisa
Switkin of Field Operations. Moderated by Julie Iovine of The Architects Newspaper. This event is part of Meatpacking
District Design Week. RSVP to
info@abenyc.com is required.
Architecture Around the High Line
Friday, May 18,
4:00 PM
Bumble and bumble Auditorium
415 West 13th Street, 3rd Floor
(between Ninth Avenue and Washington Street)
RSVP
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MAY 24: DESIGN PRESENTATION WITH RICARDO SCOFIDIO AT NEW GEHRY-DESIGNED IAC BUILDING FREE
 
Photo by Iwan Baan
Join us on May 24 for the next installment
of our continuing lecture series by High Line designers. Ricardo Scofidio, principal of Diller Scofidio
+ Renfro, will give a presentation on the firm's recent work, including the High Line, Boston's new Institute
for Contemporary Art (pictured above left), and the renovation of Lincoln Center. Diller Scofidio + Renfro
was profiled in last week's The New Yorker. The lecture will be one of the first public events held in the newly-completed,
Frank Gehry-designed IAC building. RSVP is required.
High Line Design Presentation with Ricardo Scofidio
Thursday, May 24, 6:30 PM
IAC
555 West 18th Street
RSVP
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DONATE TO FRIENDS OF THE HIGH LINE
The High Line project has won many major victories in recent months, thanks to the support of our donors. But the most important part of our work—building the High Line, is just beginning. By making an online donation, you will help us work with our public partners, our design team, and the High Line community to create one of the most exciting public open spaces in New York City. You'll also become part of an ever-growing group of supporters and will be invited to every major Friends of the High Line event.
Click the DONATE button
above and fill in the secure form to donate online by check
or credit card (American Express, Discover, Mastercard
and Visa). Friends of the High Line uses PayPal,
which lets any individual or business with an e-mail address
securely make donations online.
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CONTACT INFORMATION
430 West 14th Street, Suite 304
New York, NY 10014
(212) 206-9922
(212) 206-9118 fax
info@thehighline.org
www.thehighline.org
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