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Now that the MTA has selected Tishman Speyer to develop the West Side rail yards into Hudson Yards, a new period of public scrutiny will begin. The developer's plans will need to go through the city's public review process to rezone the western section, leaving plenty of time for potential modifications and opposition.
One decided opponent of the plan is NY Times critic Nicolai Ouroussoff. After being depressed by the five proposed designs, Ouroussoff lets loose in an essay today:
Like the ground zero and Atlantic Yards fiascos, its overblown scale and reliance on tired urban planning formulas should force a serious reappraisal of the public-private partnerships that shape development in the city today. And in many ways the West Side railyards is the most disturbing of the three. Because of its size and location — 12.4 million square feet on 26 acres in Midtown — it will have the most impact on the city’s identity. Yet unlike the other two developments, it lacks even the pretense of architectural ambition.And that's after calling the MTA's and Tishman's plan a "wishful fantasy" and "a damning indictment of large-scale development in New York." And while Tishman does have many holdings around the world, it's unclear how it will undertake a project of this scale--and from scratch (below is a photo gallery of some of Tishman's other NYC properties).
Overall, politicians seem happy a plan was selected, though some sound more guarded about what the process will bring (quite a few want more affordable housing added to the mix). Below are statements from various officials and figures about Tishman's selection at the Hudson Yards developer. Here are ones from Bloomberg and Paterson, more are after the jump.
Mayor Bloomberg: “The vision that Tishman Speyer has put forward will unlock the potential of the MTA rail yards and, in turn, the Hudson Yards neighborhood. The outstanding team that they’ve assembled and their unparalleled track record as one of our city’s pre-eminent developers absolutely merit the vote of confidence that the MTA board has given them.”Governor Paterson: "The selection of Tishman Speyer will set the stage for construction of a beautiful, world-class development that will further the transformation of the Far West Side of Manhattan...The commitment by Tishman Speyer demonstrates to the world despite uncertain economic times, New York City is still a great investment."
Senator Chuck Schumer: "Office buildings, housing, open space and new jobs -- these elements are all critical to the development of the West Side and the future of New York City. Today’s agreement on the Hudson Yards will not only bring much needed revenue to the MTA, but will catalyze growth throughout the West Side and ensure that New York stays competitive in the 21st Century."Senator Hillary Clinton: “I am very pleased that we are moving ever closer to realizing the full potential of the West Side. This is a significant commitment to open space, affordable housing and environmental sustainability that will also make a significant financial contribution to our public transportation infrastructure.”
Friends of the High Line: "Friends of the High Line commends the MTA’s, Governor Paterson’s, Mayor Bloomberg’s, and Tishman Speyer’s commitment to preserving the majority of the historic High Line structure at the rail yards, and we look forward to working with all parties to ensure that the remaining sections – the spur over Tenth Avenue and the full section along 30th Street – are preserved as well...The treatment of the High Line in Tishman Speyer’s bid shows considerable progress from the days when it was presumed the site could not be developed without its demolition."
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn: "The Hudson Yards represents one of the last great building opportunities on the West Side of Manhattan. Now that an agreement has been reached between the MTA and Tishman Speyer, the Council can work with the community to ensure that permanent affordable housing is appropriately incorporated into the project.”
Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer: "This project will create much-needed revenue for our subways and buses, and I am happy to join Governor Paterson, Mayor Bloomberg, the MTA and Tishman Speyer in announcing that it is moving forward. As a participant in the ULURP process I look forward to continuing to work with the local community, the City Planning Commission and the City Council to help make sure that the new Hudson Yards meets the needs of the neighborhood, the city and entire metropolitan region.”
State Senator Thomas Duane: “This has been a very exciting process, and I am pleased that the public had a chance to review the competing bids, all of which were of world-class quality. I look forward to the coming months as the MTA, Tishman Speyer and all the stakeholders continue to work together and plan together for this important site on Manhattan’s West Side.”
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Shouldn't this area be zoned manufacturing? It's just horrible that knowing all that space could have been used for light and heavy industry. Where are all the jobs being tossed to? India? China? Ohio?
It's terrible. What a scar on the skyline.
fugly.
I've seen better; I've seen worse...not really digging the whole candy-like swirled facade though...anyone else?
Too bad the railyards aren't big enough to build this.
Jesus. What is wrong with this city? Tishman getting this project is such a joke. What about architects actually designing something, with urban development not being dictated by politics, developers, and money. Jeesh, I know I sound idealistic, but what about the inhabitants of this city? Small-scale architecture? Ouroussoff is right.
Is this really necessary?
Really boring architecture, even ugly - with those color bands. Rock Center is probably the only superblock development in the whole city that's a halfway interesting place to be (note: it does maintain the street grid). This looks like it will follow the trends of Lincoln Center, Stuyvesant Town, the World Trade Center, and the Javitz Center in being a place that is "not only dull in itself, but the cause of dullness in others."
I hate to tell everyone, but this city has been run dy democrats since the beginning of time. New York is politically one of the biggest, along with SF, liberal cities in America. The Republican party almost doesnt even exist in this state.
Because of its size and location — 12.4 million square feet on 26 acres in Midtown — it will have the most impact on the city’s identity.
First of all, are the rail yards really midtown? Second, a few buildings are not going to dent the city's identity one bit. If you want to attack the project for other reasons go ahead but what are the alternatives?
Critics need to consider the economics of this. It costs a lot of money to build over the railyards. Nobody is going to pay billions to put up small buildings unless they can turn around and sell little brownstones for millions of dollars. Goodbye affordable housing. The city might as well sell of the space and do something with the money.
@rolltide:
And it makes you sad, doesn't it?
The GOP controls half the state legislature, had its own governor for 12 of the last 13 years and has controlled city hall for the last 15 years (even if Bloomberg has now conveniently renounced his membership). They're doing fine considering how few registered voters they have.
As for Tishman, they really, really, really should try to leave the Empire State Building out of the renderings for this new west side monstrosity. The contrast in architecture is striking.
Ugly. Boring. Like, really.
Architecture critics will be racing each other to complete couses on how to fly a jumbo jetliner over this one. It looks like something out of SOM's 1958 playbook. Even Canary Wharf is pure splendor by comparison. Naturally the politicians love it, because they are tasteless idiots from hell.
Pug fugly