Report from the High Line

The construction on the High Line seems to be progressing very fast. The construction workers have completely cleared the line south of 23rd Street, creating an eerily flat landscape. All of the wood trestles have been removed, giving the place the feeling of a very flat dirt road, winding through a canyon of buildings. A secure fence has been erected at 23rd Street, and the holes in the 28th Street gate have been plugged with gravel and rocks. Above 23rd Street, much of the old character of the High Line remains-- forests of strange plants growing up between the tracks, gardens that have been planted by people in the nearby buildings, and thousands of tons of liquor bottles that have been left there throughout the years.

Related: the groundbreaking for the new High Line park is scheduled for Monday at 12 noon on Little West 12th between 9th and Washington. We'll be there!

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jake Dobkin in Arts & Entertainment on April 8, 2006 8:43 AM

Comments [rss]

mickster

Peakguy, you are 100% correct. Unfortunately it won't happen.

webster

I think you mean trestle.

cinquez

I just hope that the Apple Tree does not get cut down. It stills bear fruit.

peakguy

I love the idea of reclaimed old industrial areas for public spaces, but everyone should realize that someday we may need to reactivate the High Line for Freight Rail in Manhattan. Currently everything needs to be trucked in over the bridges, causing traffic congestion and toxic fumes. As liquid fuel prices rise, it will be increasingly expensive to continue that. Thankfully since they are not tearing it down, we will still have the physical structure in place to carry freight again if we need it.

Fingers crossed...

Kevin Walsh

The high line park will be interesting, but I still can't help but think the MTA should have pursued it as a logical western extension of the #7 line.

Plans call for the prospective line to end at the Jav, but this could have extended it to the west Village. The el infrastructure is in place.

Heh...what am I sayin'...further subway construction is impossible without a dedicated 10 billion-dollar grant, which isn't coming.

www.forgotten-ny.com