A state appellate court has ruled that the city can demolish the High Line elevated railway without first seeking outside approval.
The High Line was built in the 1930s to move food and merchandise through lower Manhattan. It fell into disuse in the 1960s and 1970s as trucking replaced rail freight as the primary means of moving goods into and out of the city.
Some local residents believe the structure is unsafe and an eyesore. They want the city to demolish it and turn over air rights to local property owners who hold land underneath the elevated structure. The High Line runs through the popular Chelsea neighborhood, and demolishing the structure could raise property values in the area.
High Line proponents would like to build a linear park atop the elevated structure. They argue that the old rail line is well-designed, stable, and historically valuable; they also say that a linear park would be a unique addition to New York’s green spaces. They sued to stop demolition.
This Appellate Court ruling puts the decision into the hands of the mayor. Current mayor Michael Bloomberg supports the concept of a High Line park, but his predecessor, Rudy Giuliani, argued for demolition.
[Gothamist on this ruling. Dietsch on walking the High Line.]
I really hope they don’t tear it down entirely. I’d love to see them retain the structure and turn it into something pretty for the public to enjoy.
Posted by jenblossom | January 16, 2004, 11:25 am