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High Line Redevelopment + Whitney Museum
In 1999 Joshua David and Robert Hammond organized the Friends of the High Line to lobby against its impending demolition. The former railway was eventually donated by CSX to the city for use as parkland. The first phase of High Line construction is scheduled to be completed by 2008. The structure, built by the New York Central Railroad to raise railroad freight tracks above street level, consists of a steel frame enclosing a concrete lining 18 feet to 30 feet above street level. Field Operations and Diller Scofidio + Renfro are designing the High Line Park, and Piet Oudolf, a horticulturist from Holland who designed the plantings at Battery Park, is directing the plantings that will resemble the wild flowers and grasses that have been wind sewn on the High Line since is closure in 1980. The elevated park will eventually extend 1.5 miles up to W. 33rd St. Construction on the northern segment between 20th and 33rd Sts. is planned to begin when the southern half of the High Line is complete. Currently, $84 million in public funds — $62 million from the city and $22 million from federal sources — has been appropriated for the entire project. The private sector has brought the total funding to $130 million. The most complex features and access points will be in the southern half of the project, with a two-level entrance at Gansevoort St., where the Whitney Museum of American Art is planning its new museum building. Stairs and elevators at street level and at the High Line level will provide access to both the museum and the park. Other major access points will be at 14th St. and at 16th St. at 10th Ave. At least 27 luxury condos and hotels are in some stage of development along the High Line. Some buildings (which will be designed by famed architects including Frank Gehry, Jean Nouvel, Renzo Piano and Annabelle Selldorf) will have private access points into the park and three will actually have the High Line tucked inside the buildings.
On October 22, 2006 the Whitney Museum of American Art reached a conditional agreement with the Economic Development Corporation to buy the city-owned site at Gansevoort St. The Whitney has retained famed architect Renzo Piano to design the new museum which is to be at least twice the size of the Whitney’s home on Madison Avenue and to be finished by 2012. The High Line site will have about 100,000 to 150,000 square feet of gallery space. The conditional agreement must still go through the public review process. This announcement ends a decade’s long battle with Upper East Side preservationists over plans for the Whitney’s expansion at its current location.
Whitney Museum Sells Area Townhouses for Expansion Plan
Friday, August 01, 2008 | Crain's New York Business | Topic: Finance
The Whitney Museum of American Art has decided to sell townhouses adjacent to its current location on the Upper East Side in order to help finance its expansion plan for a new museum on Gansevoort St. downtown. The goal is to raise $60 million from the sales. The Museum decided to relocate its expansion because of disagreements with local preservationists. The opportunities for development at the townhouse sites are complicated by the buildings' inclusion in an historic district.
Final Designs for High Line Presented Today
Wednesday, June 25, 2008 | New York Daily News | Topic: Environment
Two architectural firms and Friends of the High Line presented the final design plans for the new High Line park. The renderings can be seen online and the park is said to be completed in 2009.
Speaker Christine Quinn Personally Contacted to Develop High Line
Thursday, May 08, 2008 | NY1 | Topic: Politics & Government
NY1 recently reported that former City Council Speaker Gifford Miller repeatedly contacted Speaker Christine Quinn several times through her personal email address to advocate the High Line development. It has been confirmed that Miller is acting only as a volunteer and not a lobbyist, but the group leading the High Line park received over $200,000 in council funding in 2007.
Community Supports New Whitney Museum
Friday, May 02, 2008 | New York Sun | Topic: Land Use
Design plans for a new Whitney Museum in the Meatpacking District received early support from the Community Board and the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation although both groups have said they want additional information to make final judgments on the project. The new museum must go through the city’s public review process, the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP). Construction of the Whitney is anticipated to begin in Spring 2009 with a possible opening date in 2012.
New Whitney Museum Design Gets Warm Reception
Thursday, May 01, 2008 | Curbed | Topic: General
Renzo Piano’s design for the new Whitney Museum to be built at the southern end of the planned High Line Park was unveiled at a community meeting last week; reactions at the meeting and in the press have been overall very positive. This Curbed report notes that the presented design plans do not detail the “nitty-gritty of the museum.”
Plans for Downtown Whitney Museum Released
Thursday, May 01, 2008 | Other | Topic: General
Plans for the new Whitney Museum of American Art, expected to open in 2012 on Gansevoort Street, have been released. Designed by famed architect Renzo Piano, the downtown branch will add an additional 50,000 square feet to the Whitney’s existing 32,000 square feet of exhibit space. The museum will be six floors and will include space for educational purposes, a theatre, and multiple rooftop galleries. Construction is set to begin in spring 2009 and the museum hopes to raise $680 million to cover the construction as well as add to the museum’s endowment.
High Line Development Continues
Wednesday, March 05, 2008 | The Villager | Topic: Environment
Construction work continues on Section 1 of the Highline, stretching from Gansevoort to 20th Street. Horticulturists are expected to begin planting later this spring in anticipation of the opening by the end of this year. While work progresses on the southern portions of the Highline, including Section 2 which runs from 20th to 30th Streets, there is some concern that the northern portions may not be built because it runs through the Western Rail yards.
Real Estate Board Asks for More Transferable Air Rights Near High Line
Tuesday, February 12, 2008 | New York Observer | Topic: Economic Development
The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) has asked the city to consider changing the zoning regulations in the area surrounding the High Line. The area, which was rezoned in 2005, has seen booming development, but some developers have struggled to find transferable air rights to purchase because many landowners are holding on to them. The City Planning Commission has agreed to look at REBNY’s request, but believes that the current zoning is working as was intended
Chelsea Street Full of High End Architecture
Monday, December 17, 2007 | New York Magazine | Topic: Urban Design & Architecture
West 19th Street between 10th and 11th Avenues will soon be home to many buildings designed by renowned architects including Frank Gehry, Annabelle Selldorf, Shigeru Ban, and Jean Nouvel. Redevelopment of the Highline into a public amenity is one reason for such growth in the neighborhood.
Highline Brings New Development to Area
Monday, November 12, 2007 | New York Post | Topic: Economic Development
Redevelopment of an old elevated train track is partially credited with spurring new economic growth in the surrounding neighborhoods of Chelsea and the Meatpacking District. Roughly $900 million in new commercial and residential space is planned for the area around the Highline. In addition to the Highline, rezoning of the traditionally manufacturing area has increased new development. Some are beginning to call sections near the Highline “Architects Row” because of the high profile architects that have been drawn to the area.
High Line Rail Proposal May Prove Unfeasible
Thursday, October 04, 2007 | New York Sun | Topic: Transportation
Developer Durst Organization has proposed a “people mover” that would run between the West Side rail yards and Pennsylvania Station. Officials have criticized the “monorail-like” train as being too costly and the MTA believes the proposal is impractical. In addition, the plan may conflict with the community’s desire to maintain parkland. Bidders for the project recognize the expensive costs and realize that assistance from the city, state, or outside sources would need to be sought.
High Line Restoration to Cost a Pretty Penny
Friday, June 08, 2007 | Crain's New York Business | Topic: Economic Development
The price of restoring the northern part of the High Line, which runs along Manhattan’s far West Side, is estimated at $117 million, according to a report prepared by Tishman Construction for developer The Durst Organization. The Metropolitan Transit Authority, which owns the 13-acre swath of waterfront rail yard, is expected to begin soliciting development proposals starting Monday, June 11.
Questions at Hudson Yards Over High Line and Affordable Housing
Sunday, May 13, 2007 | Crain's New York Business | Topic: Housing
As plans for the Hudson Yards progress, two major issues face city officials: what to do with the remainder of the High Line and how to provide proper financing for affordable housing. Hudson Yards is one of the last remaining expanses available for development within Manhattan, and preservation of the High Line could make development more expensive or limit the available land. In addition, the city does not have sufficient tax-exempt bonds to finance the desired ratio of 20% of affordable housing in the area. However, given that construction is not scheduled until 2010, officials believe they have time to find feasible solutions.
Early Activist Given Credit for High Line's Current Transformation
Sunday, May 13, 2007 | New York Times | Topic: Land Use
While the current plans to transform Highline into a park were spearheaded by Friends of the High Line, Peter Obletz had earlier vision of preserving the High Line as a functioning rail line. Mr. Obletz attempted to purchase the High Line to preserve it as a functioning freight rail when Conair was considering abandoning the section. Among many in the community, Obletz’s efforts are viewed as the catalyst which kept the High Line intact, making current plans for the elevated park possible.
Remaining High Line Track to Be Preserved?
Wednesday, May 09, 2007 | New York Observer | Topic: Transportation
The MTA will request two separate proposals from developers bidding on the western rail yards. One proposal will include preservation of the northernmost end of the High Line while the second bids cost will reflecting removing it and creating a narrow raised park in its place. Redeveloping the railyards without preserving the High Line would be cheaper as construction would not have to be arranged without it. The MTA will then decide whether or not the lost profit is worth preserving the track.
Building the High Line, Recreating a Neighborhood
Monday, April 30, 2007 | New York Magazine | Topic: Urban Design & Architecture
This article by New York Magazine summarizes the creation of the ideas behind the High Line, and reviews the impact on the neighborhood surrounding it, including a whole new level of “High Line” brand creation. The article also discusses the benefits to property owners that are accruing from the project, after long-resistance by those same owners to the idea, and the continuing danger of demolition to some 30% of structure.
Hudson Yards Development Proposals Expected Soon; Few Details
Friday, April 13, 2007 | New York Sun | Topic: Land Use
The city is expected soon to release request for proposals (RFP) for the west parcel of the 26-acre Hudson Yards on the West Side of Manhattan that could begin the largest development project in the city to date, surpassing both Atlantic Yards and the World Trade Center redevelopment. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), who owns the development rights above the rail yards, is spearheading the process. According to the Real Estate Board of New York, four developers are currently working on proposals for the site, all of which will likely include an enormous amount of residential and commercial space (13 million square feet in one estimate). The MTA will use development revenue to help support the extension of the 7 line. Much anticipation has surrounded this moment, as the Hudson Yards area is the last large area of Manhattan yet to be developed. While the project has not yet stimulated heated opposition, some contentious issues might include the loss of open space, demolition of the High Line Park in the area of the development, and the MTA's lack of specificity about guidelines. The city hopes to issue an RFP at the end of May.
The High Line's Redefinition of a Neighborhood
Wednesday, March 28, 2007 | New York Observer | Topic: Economic Development
The High Line, a public park situated on elevated rail platforms stretching from Gansevoort Street at the south to 34th street at the north on Manhattan's West Side, will add vibrancy and charm to the Chelsea neighborhood, says the New York Observer. The project, which costs $165 million and will be completed in phases by summer 2008, has already spurred 27 residential developments that hope to make use of direct access to the elevated park. In some cases, new buildings will actually incorporate the High Line into their design. The New York Observer also notes that the High Line development is unique in that it has not attracted very much opposition for a project of this magnitude.
High Line Development Progressing
Friday, March 23, 2007 | The Villager | Topic: Economic Development
According to Friends of the High Line, the development of the High Line, a city park to be built on elevated rail tracks on Manhattan's West Side, is on schedule. The first section of the development, between Gansevoort and W. 20th Streets, will be publicly accessible in the summer of 2008. Current development includes landscaping, pigeon proofing, drainage systems, and elevator access. The second stage of development, from 20th to 30th Streets, is expected to begin this summer. The final section of the High Line, north of 30th Street, is uncertain, given discussion about ownership rights of the West Side rail yards. The High Line Development is occurring simultaneously with residential development projects along the park's path.
A Survey of Residential Condominiums
Thursday, February 08, 2007 | New York Sun | Topic: Economic Development
In this New York Sun article author Michael Stoler explores the residential condominium potential throughout the entire city, listing major projects and contributing to a forecast of the future market for residential condominium development. The article distinguishes between large and small residential development sites the former of which fetch as close to $400 per square-foot in Manhattan. According to the author, the West Chelsea High Line district is one of the "hottest" residential areas of the city, capturing as much as $300 per square-foot. Other "hot" areas in the city include major sections of the Upper East and West Sides, and the University Heights section of the Bronx. Some real estate experts, including SJP's Residential Mr. Goldman, caution against real estate sellers in outer boroughs in places like Long Island City and Williamsburg selling properties higher than their land prices dictate.
City Planning Commissioner Leaving Distinct Impact
Monday, January 15, 2007 | New York Times | Topic: Politics & Government
City Planning Commissioner Amanda Burden has focused on plan details, creation of open space, and maintenance of a user-friendly neighborhood aesthetic so far in her tenure. She has played a major role in rezoning of over 4,500 city blocks, determining plans for Ground Zero, Atlantic Yards, and development of the High Line. Proponents of her efforts believe her focus on economic development and the people who live in each neighborhood has been revitalizing and helped create a sense community. Her critics, including some developers, believe that she has exerted too much control over the details of individual plans and forced the use of high-cost architects.
Future of the High Line's Northern Portion Uncertain
Thursday, December 21, 2006 | The Villager | Topic: Historic Preservation & Landmarks
Approximately thirty percent of the High Line has currently been left out of the proposed plans to create an elevated park. Friends of the High Line, which originally secured preservation of the southern section, believe that the structure should be kept intact and preserved as a whole so that it can all be converted into a public park. Proponents of integration of the two sections believe that expanding the park will create additional economic benefits, as well as preserve an important historical landmark. The city’s plans for the north section of the High Line remain unclear.
Highline Would Generate $174 million in Revenue, According to Study
Friday, December 08, 2006 | New York Post | Topic: Economic Development
The City’s proposed redevelopment of the West Side rail yards could generate $174 million for the City and MTA if it utilizes the steel-trestle High Line, according to a study done by Friends of the High Line. Some High Line supporters fear that a portion of the trestle’s northern section, which runs along West 30th Street, from 10th to 12th Avenues, and north on 12th Avenue to 34th Street, will be torn down due to development.
Whitney Museum Agrees with City to Build Near High Line
Tuesday, November 28, 2006 | New York Times | Topic: Economic Development
The Whitney Museum of American Art reached a conditional agreement with the City’s Economic Development Corporation on Wednesday to buy city-owned property at the entrance to the High Line for constructing a new satellite museum. The Whitney’s downtown location will be twice the size of its original home on Madison Avenue at 75th Street. The agreement still has to proceed through public view process, but the decision ends possible plans to build a controversial addition to the museum uptown. The project will finish within the next five years.
Artists: Displacers or Displaced?
Tuesday, November 21, 2006 | Gotham Gazette | Topic: Economic Development
A recent conference at the Pratt Center focused on Art in the Contested City, exploring the nexus of art, culture, and urban development. New York City is in the midst of a citywide discussion about the economic implications of bringing artists into a neighborhood. While some fear that artists simply displace lower-income residents and maintain illegally converted industrial space for their work, others laud the ability of artists to develop the cultural and economic potential of a neighborhood. This article explores the myths and realities of artists in New York.
Condo in West Chelsea Raises Affordable Housing Questions
Friday, November 17, 2006 | The Villager | Topic: Housing
Community Board 4 and the city’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) have scrutinized The Caledonia, a luxury mega-development by the Related Companies at 450 W. 17th St., to ensure that its 80/20 plan is not segregating market units and affordable units. On November 1 Community Board 4 wrote a letter to HPD asking for an investigation into allegations of segregation. Segregating tenants on the basis of affordability would violate both the city’s 80/20 tax-incentive program as well the Inclusionary Housing Program. Related Companies highlighted its efforts at building affordable units.
Old and New Art Unite in Possible Relocation of Whitney Museum
Friday, November 10, 2006 | New York Magazine | Topic: Economic Development
An art critic for New York Magazine argues that the Whitney Museum of American Art’s potential satellite move to the Chelsea-High Line area would be beneficial to both the Chelsea area and the art world at large. This article suggests that such a move would preserve traditional collections at the Whitney’s downtown location while presenting a bold, new vision of art collections at a downtown location near the High Line.
Manhattan CB 4 Asks Mayor to Reconsider Waste Facilities
Thursday, November 09, 2006 | The Villager | Topic: Waterfront
Community Board 4, which represents Chelsea and Hell’s Kitchen, argued last week that combining recycling and commercial waste transfer stations into one facility on Pier 76 is a better plan than Mayor Bloomberg’s proposal to build two separate facilities. The Administration’s proposal calls for a recyclable material transfer station on Gansevoort Peninsula and a commercial waste transfer station on Pier 99 at 59th St. In their November 1 Resolution, Community Board 4 argues that a single facility on Pier 76 would be better for residents and would allow for the building of Hudson River Park.
A New Vacancy Under The High Line
Friday, November 03, 2006 | The Villager | Topic: Economic Development
The decision of the Dia Art Foundation to drop plans to build a museum on Gansevoort Street at the southern end of the High Line disappointed many officials involved, though speculation that the Whitey Museum is considering the spot has given people reason to hope that there may quickly be a new tenant. The Villager spoke with officials involved in the process.
Chelsea's Development: One Art Gallery at a Time
Friday, November 03, 2006 | New York Times | Topic: Economic Development
By some estimates, there are 318 art galleries in the Chelsea neighborhood, making it New York’s, and possibly the world’s, gallery central. Yet, recent zoning changes have inspired an increase in residential development. As residential and commercial developments move in, will Chelsea rents raise to Soho-like levels or can this gallery neighborhood remain an affordable magnet for artists and their galleries?
The Whitney Weighs Expansion Options
Tuesday, October 31, 2006 | New York Sun | Topic: Economic Development
Following the Dia Art Foundation’s recent decision to abandon the idea of constructing a new gallery in the meatpacking district, the Whitney Museum of American Art is considering the site for a new satellite downtown. The space is located at the entrance to the High Line at Gansevoort and Washington streets. The Whitney is considering multiple options for expansion, including expanding the current uptown museum, but they say they have made no final decisions.
Museum Plans Are Derailed
Wednesday, October 25, 2006 | New York Times | Topic: Land Use
The Dia Art Foundation, which is going through a period of organizational uncertainty, has abandoned plans to open a museum at the entrance to the High Line. The High Line, an unused elevated rail line, is to become a park with the help of city money. Insiders report that other art institutions may be considering bidding for the site in the heart of the meatpacking district.
Chelsea's Continuing Boom
Monday, October 02, 2006 | New York Sun | Topic: Economic Development
Chelsea gallery owners are continuing to prove that their neighborhood is the city’s focal point for modern art, in addition to be a critical part of the real estate market. At least two galleries now command over 30,000 square feet. Others are expanding and 5,000 new apartments in the gallery district are set to be developed in the next five years.
Finding Support for the Park Boom
Monday, August 07, 2006 | Gotham Gazette | Topic: Environment
Parks commissioner Adrian Benepe has predicted that 2006 will be the biggest year for parks construction in New York City since the 1930s. Increasingly the city and state expect private groups to come up with the money to operate new parks.
Bringing Art to the High Line
Thursday, July 20, 2006 | The Villager | Topic: Urban Design & Architecture
The Dia Art Foundation and the Bloomberg administration are in the midst of complex negotiations for a new Dia museum to be built on city-owned property at the proposed Gansevoort St. entrance of the High Line.
New Hotel Keeps the High Line In Style
Thursday, July 20, 2006 | The Villager | Topic: Economic Development
The 13-story Hotel Gansevoort transformed the Meat Market when it opened two years ago. Now an even bigger hotel, Andre Balazs’s The Standard, with 337 rooms — which will straddle the High Line between 13th and Little W. 12th Sts. at Washington St. — is under construction.
Award For High Line Plan
Friday, April 28, 2006 | The Villager | Topic: Land Use
The zoning plan for the High Line, initiated by Manhattan Community Board 4 and developed by the Department of City Planning, recently received an award from the American Planning Association.
Parks Budget For 2007
Tuesday, April 25, 2006 | Gotham Gazette | Topic: Finance
With many park projects in the works, some feel that the parks budget for 2007 is inadequate. Park advocates are lobbying for the council to add $9 million to the budget to almost double the Park Enforcement Patrol to 200 officers and to increase the frequency of maintenance operations.
The High Line's History
Sunday, April 16, 2006 | New York Times | Topic: Economic Development
After years of preservation efforts the Friends of the High Line group is finally realizing its goal. The long abandoned stretch of rail sitting above the meatpacking district is being transformed into a 1.5 mile long park.
High Line Ground Breaking A Success
Monday, April 10, 2006 | Newsday.com | Topic: Economic Development
Kevin Bacon, Ed Norton, Mayor Bloomberg, Hillary Clinton, and Charles Schumer all showed up to enjoy the sun and celebrate the ground breaking of the High Line Park that will stand as high as 30 feet and run for 1.5 miles in the Chelsea/Meatpacking districts.
Highline Construction To Begin On Monday
Friday, April 07, 2006 | NY1 | Topic: Economic Development
Construction on the Highline is set to begin on Monday April 10. What is currently a desolate place will be transformed into a promenade above the Tenth Avenue traffic. With a price tag of $130 million, the project is expected to be completed by 2008.
High Time For The High Line!
Tuesday, March 28, 2006 | Other | Topic: Land Use
After 20 years of legal disputes, the highline is set for groundbreaking. April 10th will feature a free street-level celebration to celebrate the event.
Silverstein hopes to land 500,000 Square Feet of State Office Leases
Wednesday, March 22, 2006 | New York Post | Topic: Economic Development
With a large chunk of city office leases expiring at the start of 2007, Silverstein is trying to lure them towards 7 World Trade Center. In other news, the High Line development has sparked a number of development proposals in Chelsea.
WTC and West Side Development Competition
Tuesday, February 21, 2006 | New York Post | Topic: Economic Development
A top downtown building official expresses concern about the competing downtown developments and the potential underutilization of the WTC site.
High Line Details Released
Wednesday, February 15, 2006 | The Villager | Topic: Land Use
What was once a dream of neighborhood groups is moving rapidly towards reality. City Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe recognizes that the $84.25 million in city and federal funds is not enough to build the whole park, but is "enough to get it started."
High Line Development Heats up Chelsea
Monday, February 06, 2006 | New York Post | Topic: Economic Development
While it's news to no one that Chelsea has been hot property for the past few years, the area's temperature is on the rise once again. With the rezoning of the neighborhood's westernmost reaches last summer, much of the land between 10th and 11th avenues is now open to new residential development - and buildings are popping up all over.
Chelsea's Buzz is Building
Saturday, February 04, 2006 | New York Post | Topic: Land Use
West Chelsea, a neighborhood recently though of as "quiet" has been upgraded to "up-an-coming" according to neighborhood residents. The High Line, rezoning, and planned developments are sure to draw a crowd to the neighborhood.
High Line Will Be the High Life
Friday, December 16, 2005 | New York Times | Topic: Urban Design & Architecture
On 10th Avenue from 14th St. to 30th St. will soon showcase designer buildings, upscale apartments, fancy restaurants with famous chefs, and the trendiest clubs. This is a big change from the derelict elevated railroad that is the backbone of West Chelsea's thriving gallery scene.
City Takes Title to High Line Site
Thursday, November 17, 2005 | Other | Topic: Transportation
CSX Transportation has donated the High Line elevated rail viaduct to the city; the move paves the way for the redevelopment of the site for public open space.
CSX Donates High Line to City
Wednesday, November 16, 2005 | Other | Topic: Land Use
CSX has transferred title to the High Line to the City free of charge. Now the process of "railbanking," turning unused rail corridors into public spaces, can proceed. Construction on the first section is scheduled to begin in 2006.
The French High Line
Sunday, August 21, 2005 | New York Times | Topic: Land Use
For a preview of what Chelsea's High Line may look like upon completion, look at the Promenade Plantee in Paris. The three-mile, sixty foot high structure, built on the remnants of a defunct rail line, opened in 1998.
Council subcommittee approves Chelsea rezoning, High Line
Wednesday, June 22, 2005 | Other | Topic: Housing
City Council's zoning subcommittee approved new zoning requirements for West Chelsea that require 27% affordable housing in new developments. The agreement also sets the stage for development of the High Line.
Community Board 4 testifies before the City Planning Commission on the West Chelsea rezoning plan
Wednesday, April 06, 2005 | Other | Topic: General
Representatives of CB4 testified before the City Planning Commission on the West Chelsea rezoning plan. They asked the Planning Commission to address concerns in three areas: insufficient affordable housing, density and building scale issues, and protection of space for the High Line.
Subject to changes, CB4 approves West Chelsea rezoning
Monday, February 28, 2005 | Other | Topic: Land Use
Manhattan Community Board 4 has approved the Department of City Planning's West Chelsea rezoning plan contingent upon specific changes to the zoning map and text. These changes are outlined in this memo.


