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.
