High Line Park, NYC

4 Feb 2009, 11:42am

The High Line

I find this both exciting and inspirational. I remember hearing about plans to take a portion of the elevated train system in NYC and turn it into a park a few years ago but I wrote it off as just being a beautiful pipe dream that would never come to fruition. I have never been more glad to be wrong.

The High Line was built in between 1929 and 1934  on Manhattan’s West side. The High Line went right through the middle of city blocks so that freight trains (it could support 2, fully loaded) could roll right in to warehouses and factories to pick up and drop off goods. This alleviated any interference with street traffic that was starting to become a problem in the bustling city. By the 50’s, trucking began replacing the railway and, after some demolition in the 60’s,  it finally stopped seeing any use in 1980.

High Line Under ConstructionTo make a long story short, advocates spoke, protection of the abandoned railway was granted and funding was raised. A design competition was held and architects were chosen. And now, it is physically happening. The first section of the High Line (Gansevoort Street to 20th Street) is projected to open in the Spring of 2009. That is almost now, people!

Here is a great video kind of showing what it will be:

Here is the Friends of the High Line blog that has some great info and updates.

Chit Chat

by nedhead  |   4 Feb 2009, 3:20pm  |  

I’m glad to see this becoming a reality. For all the attention it received while we lived there, it never seemed to be more than a very cool pipe dream. I walked under the High Line everyday at 24th and 10th Avenue for 7+ years. It will really change the neighborhood (for the better) when it’s complete.

by PCS  |   4 Feb 2009, 4:21pm  |  

Thanks, Marc. I really am going to make it a point to see this next time I am in NYC. But how will I do that since you are now in CO?

by karina  |   5 Feb 2009, 7:30am  |  

Why is it that big cities are able to turn old space/structures into such great art venues…like the Olympic Sculpture Park in Seattle and the High Line above? I sure wish that small towns (like Roseburg) could take a hint and move toward that direction. We have a lot of old structures that could be just incredible spaces….like the old Safeway sitting empty in our sad little downtown. BPH, maybe you should get on that?

by Patrick  |   5 Feb 2009, 10:40am  |  

Why can’t small towns do it? I would say money and a population that doesn’t give a shit.

by nedhead  |   5 Feb 2009, 5:55pm  |  

Well BPH, sorry I’m not still in NYC for you to come visit. However, speaking of small towns doing something artistic and exciting with discarded structures/things – our wonderful town found a frozen dead man in a shed and started a festival to celebrate the find! Go Frozen Dead Guy Days! Maybe Roseburg has a frozen woman in a garage of something just waiting to be found. Then you to could have a midwinter celebration too and we could become sister cities!

I’m sick and need help . . . I’m going skiing.

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