(Pictured from left to right) Benjamin Levine and Steven Charno of Douglaston Development together with Joshua David, co-founder of Friends of the High Line, and Jeffrey Levine of Douglaston, on Ohm’s rooftop.
Though the High Line only opened a year ago, the 1.5 mile elevated park and garden walkway that runs along the west side of Manhattan has already had 3 million visitors. But maybe not everybody knows that this is only one section of the High Line. The non-profit organization, Friends of the High Line, announced the plans for a second section at a special event this Tuesday at the Ohm, a new rental building on 11th Avenue at 30th street.
Ohm residents have spectacular views not only of the skyscrapers of Midtown and the Hudson River, but also Chelsea and the High Line. Guests took in the views while enjoying a fun summer cookout, complete with music, cold beers, and hot dogs. The event celebrated the High Line’s success and continuation, with co-founder of Friends of the High Line Joshua David saying a few words about the project and section two.
On schedule to open in spring 2011, section two will be an extension of the High Line, going from 20th street to 30th street. Divided into about six distinct parts, section two will start with an enclosed area of dense plants called the Chelsea Thicket, then open up into a lawn around 23rdstreet, and then feature more flora on the Meadow Walk. Next is the Flyover, Wildflower Fields, and then the 30th Street Cutout – a distinctive element. Because the High Line is built on abandoned railroad tracks, the 30th Street Cutout will be where the cement is literally cut out of the elevated tracks to reveal the steel gridwork.
Since the High Line’s opening, the neighborhoods around it have begun to transform. David noted that “there are people in this neighborhood, and I see them every day up there, they’re walking to work on the high line, they’ve having lunch on the highline, they’re bringing their family and their friends up there. There are people coming from all over the world to see it, and those people are going to businesses in the neighborhood and helping to support businesses around us, so it’s really been an incredible success story.” David also announced that Friends of the High Line just gained approval from the city to use the rail yards around 30th street, which will be the next project after section two.
At this rate, you certainly haven’t heard the last of the High Line.
