For more than a decade the High Line project — which transformed a run-down railway track into an elevated park in the lower Manhattan — has been a symbol of creative urban renewal, showing how the city can find refreshing ways to reimagine decaying spaces.
Now, the popular park is slated to be expanded, following a recent announcement by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. According to Cuomo, the idea is to improve safe pedestrian access in the area and its first phase will cost an estimated $60 million.
The project has been welcomed with great acclaim by New Yorkers and has been often imitated by other cities, but there have been few efforts to improve it in the years following its opening.
The first phase of the project will consist of an L-shaped greenery-filled walkway section connecting the existing High Line walkway with a public plaza joining Penn Station’s Moynihan Train Hall. The second phase will involve a connection to Hudson River Park and will also improve access to Hudson Yards.
“Strategically extending the High Line in these locations not only creates new public space but also addresses community concerns about pedestrian access between Penn Station and Hudson Yards and surrounding areas,” explains the press release. “Midtown West continues its transformation into a burgeoning commercial and residential neighborhood in Manhattan. The High Line is New York’s most popular elevated park, and its extension will offer safe passage for commuters, residents, and tourists navigating this booming area.”