Hudson Yards shares rendering of public open space to dispel reports of 700-foot wall
Rendering courtesy of Related Companies
“There has never been a wall along the High Line and there will never be a wall,” Hudson Yards emphasized on Twitter today in response to reports that a 700-foot wall will turn the next phase of development into a veritable gated community. Plans for the Western Yard always included paving over the remaining tracks with a deck that would slope down toward the High Line, but last week, it was reported that developer Related Companies was floating around an idea that would have the deck slope up instead to accommodate a parking garage underneath. It would also essentially wall off the new development’s green space and overshadow the High Line. However, Hudson Yards continued in its series of Tweets, “We have always shared the vision that the Western Yard should include a great public open space.”
“We don’t yet have a final design but have always understood clearly that our open space needs to work well with the High Line and the Hudson River,” wrote the development. Alongside a preliminary rendering of the potential green space they explained, “Our plan has always been to build an open space along the lines of this years-old rendering and we are working to manage the technical challenges to achieve this.”
State Sen. Brad Hoylman expressed his support for the direction. “The High Line is—and should always be—a public space for all New Yorkers to enjoy,” he tweeted. “Pleased to see Related backing down from their plan to build a wall and block off our park.” In the original Times report, Hoylman called the alternative proposal “an absolute disgrace” and said, “the last thing New Yorkers need is a wall.”
“This is good to hear,” City Council Speaker Corey Johnson tweeted. “The Western Yards must never be walled off from the High Line. Looking forward to working with my neighbors and my colleagues in government to develop a plan that prioritizes public access to the High Line.”
RELATED:
