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The High Line is now the most expensive oasis in the city. The NY Post reports that the park is expected to get $522,388 to $671,641 per acre for yearly maintenance and operations. Bryant Park used to be the priciest piece of land, spending around $479,166 per acre—and on average, city parks get $9,555 an acre. But even after getting $1 million of city (taxpayer) funds annually, the big news here is that the operators are definitely pushing through a "controversial new tax on neighborhood property owners so the managers can spend even more."
Last week, the Post mentioned that the Friends of the High Line was looking into founding a business improvement district and a tax for the new park's upkeep, which may total $3.5-4.5 million. Now, it seems the Bloomberg administration endorsed the plan, which would effect both local merchants and residents. The Friends of the High Line's cofounder Robert Hammond says that the huge number of visitors—half a million in the first two months—"combined with the challenges of operating an intensely planted public space on an elevated structure with limited access" (whereas other parks are more traditionally situated) have caused high costs for maintenance and staff.
The paper points out that the group's "daily operations are run by politically connected officials padding their pockets with six-figure salaries." Maybe Kevin Bacon can buy naming rights... Bacon Park is a much more fitting name for the Meatpacking District. Failing that, they should start planting those money trees we've heard so much about.
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Don't maintain it. Let it go back to nature.
It was an expensive and dumb idea to begin with. If people want to use it let them pay admission as they do at the various Botanical Gardens in New York City. It's an attraction. People pay to go visit attractions.
That's actually not a bad idea. They could run it like a museum and have a suggested donation and maybe have a free day once a week. It would solve all their problems.
How about taxing the bankers, lawyers, and actors that live in the West Village? They're the ones benefitting from the park through higher property values. And the Highline gives their nannies somewhere to take the kids.
Are people actually surprised by this?
Omitted from the Gothamist summary, and buried at the bottom of the Post article: "The annual fee for the owner of a 1,000-square-foot property would range anywhere from $30 to $90."
FWIW.
What is it for people living next to Central Park or Prospect Park or Thompkins Square Park?
bloomberg's legacy. pay to park.
what the piss could possibly cost that much money to maintain?
That's:
25 workers at $25/hr 8 hrs 365 days
$1 million for plants and bench 'maintenance'
$1 million in magic fairy dust
and you still have 600k floating spending money for anti dragon defense, or volcano insurance.
Where's my justification??
If it were an extension of the 7 train, it probably could have paid for itself. Too late.
Yes but this is the city of aristocracy - heaven forbid they built something for the common man and built that no-brainer of an extension.
And once again I ask
Why is bloomberg leading in the polls? And not just having his head stuck on a poll?
Lets think hard about that one........
The MTA can't even build an extension to LaGuardia because Queens property owners don't want an elevated train extension to lower property values.
What in the hell makes you think that you could build a 7 train elevated extension through the village and chelsea?
Do you think people would let you?
Some oasis-a fucking old bunch of rail tracks with weeds overlooking a highway... Whoop de fucking doo
Math wasn't my best subject, but if it averages 200,000 visitors a month (as the article says) and they need $3.5M a year, any entrance fee would only need to be minimal to cover the cost.
Any fee levied on the surrounding buildings should be a one-time-only fee. Sure, their property values increased, so let them pay a minimal charge. But, to levy a recurring "tax" on them is insane.
Allowing "neighborhood taxes" would be a horrible idea. The desirability of the neighborhood is reflected in the purchase or rental price of the property. Letting neighborhoods then impose their own taxes would make everything arbitrary.
Have any of you actually been to the High Line Park? It is amazing. And the idea that a park is considered evidence that this is "the city of aristocracy" blows my mind. On the whole, I agree with that statement, but this park is one of the few things to suggest the contrary as far as I'm concerned. A beautiful, public space, open for free to members of the public. First of all, the park brings business to the area. Second of all, aren't you aware of which businesses are in that area? So sad if Stella McCartney has to pay an extra $90/year. This is not Mom & Pop land. After being priced out of my Brooklyn neighborhood, seeing some of my favorite independent businesses fold while witnessing dozens of luxury condos erected, the High Line Park is the first thing that's made me feel good about New York in years.
@FKLC - Henceforth, you are forbidden to post on Gothamist. You do not hate anything new or anything in Manhattan. You are not filled with rage. You actually find something to like. All of these qualities make you unfit to comment on any article on Gothamist.
The High Line is awesome, and is a great addition to the city. I'm not sure about the extra taxes though, especially on residents. Had the highline been in a poor part of town, tax increases would have never been an option. Why is it now?
The city should work with Friends of the Highline to develop a network of philanthropist to help maintain the park. This is what happens with prospect park and central park. Or the city should tax local business in the area who are receiving far more foot traffic due to the Highline's presence.
There's a small flaw in your reasoning in this sentence, "Had the highline been in a poor part of town, tax increases would have never been an option." If the highline were in a poor part of town, it would still be an abandoned railroad with no plans for turning it into a park.
Have any of you actually been to the High Line Park?
I wondered about that myself. I suspect not. They're probably like Nyctini below, who says, "Ok fine, some of you think it's lovely, but i won't EVER go there." Why check it out when you can just hate it unseen? Personally, I think the park's okay, but I liked it better when it was closed to the public and I didn't have to fight for space with tourists.
How about " Adopt-a-Highline" and all those fat cats that want their names associated with this place, which will in turn drive even MORE tourists their way, let them sponsor this sh!t. Ok fine, some of you think it's lovely, but i won't EVER go there, i have no desire what so ever and am sick of this city coming up with these "fantastic ideas" of gentrification and only add in AFTER all is said and done that it will be another hit to our paychecks. Maybe Bloomberg was too busy rushing back to one of his idling vans to stop and think about this before he jumped on board, ahhhh who am i kidding.
Everybody does this. Special assessment districts are carved out everywhere businesses profit from meticulously clean streets, manicured landscaping and expensive improvements. Yawn.
Uh, could I get a job working there? with that kind of maintenance pricing there must be a few 'standing around scratching their butts' kind of jobs available? How much per acre????? come again? Maybe let a little of that go toward some needier neighborhood beautificatin. feh
You lost me there. "some needier neighborhood beautificatin" Exactly where are those needier neighborhoods located, where the local cultural groups wont turn the well designed park into a piece of shit in four weeks?
If you live in the proposed tax district (Horatio to West 30th and 9th Avenue to the Westside Highway), voice your opposition by registering with
nohighlinetax@aol.com
This special tax would fall on both residential and commercial properties, i.e., is a special tax on a particular neighborhood in support of a public amenity which benefits all. Central Park, in comparison, is supported by general tax revenues and by private contributions to the Central Park Conservancy, not by taxes levied on Upper East and Westsiders.
Please give your name, address, phone # and indicate if you are a property owner, business owner, commercial tenant, tenant. Thank you.