William

Before, where the former National Biscuit Company building was built over the High Line, where the Oreo cookie was created (and later became Chelsea Market in 1997).
When the Meatpacking District was once a major hub for meat wholesalers.
Before, when the meatpackers, an assortment of hookers, and trans, gay, and straight people traveled to the area for a walk on the wild side, which has now become a hip commercial area that Hermès, Theory, Diane von Furstenberg call home.
And before, when you could buy a brownstone for under $100,000! No, really!
I moved into the off-the-grid neighborhood that was called Chelsea.

“Are you crazy!’’ was often the comment I received when I would tell someone where I lived. I couldn’t walk down 9th Avenue, which was deemed not safe; and forget about ever venturing over to 10th Avenue. I would end up calling Chelsea my home for the next 48 years. Today, looking back, I’m grateful and feel blessed that Chelsea was a magical place to call home. Yes, I did say magical! Anthony Perkins and Geraldine Page were my neighbors and in the late 90s when I moved in. Daniel Day Lewis and Julianne Moore would actually go trick-or-treating on my block. “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore was written in my neighborhood in the mid 1800s—a beloved Christmas story that was a special treat when my mother read it to me as a child growing up in Virginia.

Over the years, I witnessed Chelsea become one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in New York City. Venturing out into the neighborhood and one of my favorite memories would occur every time I would turn my corner on 22nd Street and 10th Avenue on my bike. The trees fully bloomed in spring and summer and the reds and oranges of fall—there was nothing more beautiful. I was home.

At times I did notice the elevated train tracks above me between 10th Avenue and 11th Avenue, but honestly didn’t pay that much attention to them. My gratitude to whoever had the vision to see something so much more than an overgrown train track that was honestly an eyesore.

I was there when the High Line park first opened in June of 2009. Soon enough I even had my special place [in the park] around 18th Street. Often I would take my journal and my coffee up there on early mornings to write. The High Line was my special place. I would take my coffee and my journal, and go up to sit behind some greenery hidden from other people passing by. On one occasion I was busted when a lady passing by said I had my own private terrace. In June 2011, the second phase from 20th to 30th Street opened. Living on West 22nd Street, I could be up there in five minutes. I learned the best times to go were early mornings or just after it rained.

I would jump on the High Line to go quickly downtown, avoiding having to stop for red lights, or a quicker trip to the Theater District, getting off at 30th Street. The High Line provided me with incredible new vistas—I could see far and wide—a wider perspective on my surroundings, establishing a new love for my Chelsea neighborhood. The High Line has contributed so much joy to me and is a true gift to New York City.

The High Line is definitely one of the most special parks in New York City. It was one moment in time—this was my moment. I feel blessed for all good things and living in Chelsea was the best time ever. I am proud to have called Chelsea my home for 48 years. The High Line is now known all over the world now and I’m grateful that I had my special moment in time to feel like it was mine and—get this—it has continued to be free. A REAL GIFT TO NEW YORK CITY.