http://www.planNYC.org/ PlanNYC | New York City Planning Information Portal en-us ja3n@earthlink.net http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=67#4480 The latest segment of the Hudson River Park opened today in Tribeca. The nine-block stretch now marks the halfway point to the park's completion. The Hudson River Park Trust is guiding the development which will run from Battery Park to 59th Street. 2008-07-23 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=67#4450 The Hudson River Park Trust has released a request for proposals (RFP) for the development of Pier 57, located just west of Manhattan’s Meat Packing District on the Hudson River. The RFP calls for private developers to submit proposals for a development mixing retail, educational, recreational, and cultural uses. The Trust has scheduled pre-bid meetings and tours for July 16 and 30; proposals will be due on October 17, 2008. Pier 57 is one of just two waterfront sites south of 59th Street that is available for private commercial development. 2008-07-14 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=67#4442 Pier 40 Partnership and Urban Dove/Camp Group unveiled its joint proposal for Pier 40 last week to the Pier 40 Working Group. The plan, which calls for 50,000-square-feet of event space, three public high schools, retail space, parking spots, and public open space, was praised by many in the community. While some are concerned about public safety due to the presence of an open road in the design, many find the proposal to be an improvement over developer Related Companies’ entertainment venue vision for the area. Related dropped its plan because of financing issues related to the 30-year lease for the space required by the Hudson River Park Act. 2008-07-11 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=67#4395 New York City’s School Construction Authority (SCA) is considering developing a public school facility for Pier 40 to accommodate three new schools. The Pier 40 Partnership and the Urban Dove/Camp Group are working together on a new plan for Pier 40, which was supposed to be submitted to the Hudson River Trust by the end of June. Both groups had initially planned on using part of the Pier for school space and are working with the SCA. Despite the interest of the SCA for the space, there are still many details to work out before the project can go forward. 2008-06-25 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=67#4368 An agreement between advocates of Hudson River Park and the operator of the heliport based on West 30th Street have reached an agreement that allows the heliport to remain provided that it phases out sightseeing flights. The park advocacy group, Friends of Hudson River Park, argued that the heliport’s uses were incompatible with the park. The heliport operator, supported by the City’s Economic Development Corporation, argued that its business was good for economic growth. 2008-06-20 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=67#4283 The Hudson River Trust will issue another Request for Proposal (RFP) in the next couple of weeks for Pier 57 in Hudson River Park after developer Steven Witkoff backed out of his plans to transform the Pier in January of this year. The Trust also announced that it is still waiting for a joint proposal from the Pier 40 Partnership and the Camp Group and Urban Dove for Pier 40. Work on Hudson River Park is about 40% completed today and is expected to be 80% completed by 2010. 2008-05-29 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=67#4159 The TriBeCa Park portion of the Hudson River Park filled with grasses and other native plants, basketball courts, and a skate park will open to the public next month. This section of the Park was funded by the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation and cost nearly $70 million. By the end of next year, two new pier parks will also be completed. 2008-04-28 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=67#4153 President of the Hudson River Park Trust, Connie Fishman, announced last week that the state’s new budget had granted the trust $21 million for development of the Hudson River Park. Additionally, the City had promised to match at least $20 million and Fishman expected that they would kick in the additional $1 million as well, bringing the park’s budget to $42 million for the year. After a budget shortfall last year caused delays in the park’s development, Fishman said she expected the new funds to get the project back on schedule, although a new schedule and completion date has not yet been set. The funds will be split between the Chelsea and Tribeca sections of the park and will go towards the construction of Pier 25 and the upland park that will run from Pier 25 south to Stuyvesant High School, as well as the redesign of the Pier 26 boathouse. The Trust will still need about $18 million next year in order to build the Pier 26 boathouse and complete the upland park between Pier 26 and Laight Street. Fishman says the $18 million is a "modest" amount and expects the city and state to cover it. 2008-04-25 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=67#4141 The City’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC) released plans for Vornado Realty to redevelop and expand Pier 94. Currently the pier is used for small trade shows, but the EDC is expecting that after its redevelopment it will have the capacity to host over 40 shows by 2013. The plans call for the extension to Pier 92 which would double its overall size. Plans also include the creation of a winter garden, a public access connection between the pier and Clinton Cove Park, and a large logistics center to handle increased truck traffic. The EDC anticipates the project to cost $100 million; Vornado will assume the construction costs in exchange for a 49-year lease with two 25-year extensions. 2008-04-23 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=67#4035 The Hudson River Trust has given the Partnership for Pier 40, a group of parents, and the Camp Group/Urban Dove group 90 days to work together to develop an economically sound plan for Pier 40. It is likely that the coalition plan will include a non-profit conservancy to run operations at the Pier, tax-exempt financing will pay for the $120 million needed in renovations, and the conservancy will hold the master lease to the Pier. The decrease of the financial market is a concern for the Trust as expected fundraising may not be a current reality. The Trust will only contribute funds that will help continue to facilitate the parking revenue generated on the Pier, which is nearly $6 million a year. 2008-04-04 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=67#3977 The Hudson River Trust has announced that the Related Companies plan to redevelop Pier 40 is no longer viable because the developer is asking for a 50 year lease. A 30 year lease was included in the Request for Proposals that was issued for redevelopment of the Pier, with a longer lease only applicable if approved by the state Legislature. That leaves the remaining bid to Camp Ground, a group that runs day camp programs. The Trust is now requiring Camp Ground to work with a parent-led group, the Partnership for Pier 40, to develop a proposal that is financially sound and meets the requirements of the RFP. The two groups have 90 days to present an updated proposal to the Trust. 2008-03-28 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=67#4001 The Hudson River Park Trust has urged CampGroup/Urban Dove and Pier 40 Partnership (P40P) to work together to develop a proposal for the Pier 40 redevelopment. According to the chairperson of Community Board 2’s Waterfront Committee, the two organizations have agreed to collaborate, but a member of P40P said it was too early to make any sort of announcement about a partnership. The two groups had submitted separate but similar proposals earlier in the year, but the Trust delayed the vote on those proposals, along with a proposal from the Related Companies, saying all three had flaws. The Trust Is likely to vote on the proposal in May. 2008-03-26 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=67#3897 Biz Kids, a theater program that has leased space on Pier 40 since 2001 was forced to relocate after engineers for the park found the space to be structurally unsafe. As the community and the Hudson River Trust continue to debate over what to do with the Pier, many believe the Pier is quickly falling apart. It is estimated that $120 million in repairs are needed to just keep the Pier standing. 2008-03-11 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=67#3882 In order for further construction to occur on sections of Hudson River Park, including Piers 25 and 26 in Tribeca and Pier 46 in Chelsea Cove, the Hudson River Trust needs funding fast. Governor Spitzer had hopes to use revenue from selling parcels to the north and south of the Javits Center for the Hudson River Park, Governors Island and an affordable housing initiative. Those plans have been put on hold for now after Mayor Bloomberg and others opposed the plan. Both the Governor and the Mayor say they are committed to allocating the resources to finish construction work on the Park. Local leaders are fearful that further funding delays will set the parks completion back more years. The Trust hopes to restore the recreation and entertainment options that were once located on the Piers. 2008-03-07 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=67#3807 The Partnership for Pier 40’s plan has garnered a broad coalition of support including Community Board 2, Downtown United Soccer Club, local politicians and FIERCE!, a gay youth advocacy group. Part of the Partnership for Pier 40’s plan includes a center providing support and services for gay, lesbian and transgender youth open 24-hours a day. The Hudson River Park area has become a local hang out spot for gay youth who must currently vacate the area, including the Christopher Street Pier, when it closes at 1 am. The Hudson River Trust, tasked with deciding the fate for Pier 40, has said that if a 24-hour center is including, its operating hours and amenities would be determined by the developer and the lease agreements. 2008-02-20 00:00:00