I want to alert you to an important forum being held by Community Board 2 about the future of Pier 40 on Thursday, February 28, 2013 at 6:30PM at Saatchi and Saatchi, located on 375 Hudson Street. The ongoing struggle for our park-starved Westside to retain a true Park promised to us by both the City and the State just over a decade ago is not over. In an effort driven by dollars and not common sense, the Hudson River Park Trust is determined to see residential development in the Park. Pier 40's crucial playing fields and deteriorating condition is their means to achieving that goal, providing cover for wildly inappropriate development. Some well-intentioned and extremely concerned parents of sports league youth, who use the fields at Pier 40, support this concept in part because the Trust has made it clear that this is the only option they'll embrace. The proposal for two 22 story high towers on the esplanade in front of Pier 40 is being falsely characterized as a low impact option. Residential stakeholders in the Park will forever alter the nature and future of the Park which is why multiple elected officials have voiced displeasure against this plan. Moving forward, a better approach seems to be the adaptive reuse of the existing Pier 40 structures, which would offer physical and financial stability without dramatically altering the Park itself. This truly would be a win-win solution. By consolidating the parking operation into a smaller footprint, allowing office and gallery uses, combined with the currently allowed food service uses and most importantly retaining the playing fields the Pier could be a vibrant value added part of the Park without undermining its character. Future generations of New Yorkers will benefit from preserving this existing open space along the waterfront. It should also be noted that both proposals require construction that will briefly interrupt use of the playing fields. But such an interruption seems minor in relation to the generations of New Yorkers who will one day use the park. So, as you have so many times before, come to the forum to support a real Park along the Westside and demand that the Trust have a complete plan for expanding recreational opportunities throughout the Park. Pier 40 can never fulfill the need for playing fields along the Westside. I will be speaking and I hope to see you there. Further details are below. CB2 Forum Regarding Pier 40 Date: February 28, 2013
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Saatchi and Saatchi located at 375 Hudson Street.