doing lines in chelsea
The rain cleared up (briefly) today, so the BF and I were able to get out of our apartment for a bit this a.m. and catch at least part of the openhousenewyork tour. And when I saw "part," I really mean we hit one site: The High Line.
If you haven't heard of it, the High Line used to be an elevated railroad track that stretched along West Chelsea's warehouse district. It was built in the early '30s but fell into disrepair in the '70s and '80s, then was nearly demolished. In the late '90s, a group of neighborhood activist types got together and lobbied to save the old train track — which even now is essentially a second-story weed garden above some of Chelsea's hottest real estate.
From the Phillips, de Pury & Company gallery space, we could peer out onto the desolate structure, made even less inviting by today's gray drizzle. But I can see how the current plan to convert the High Line to a public park and exhibition space could work.
It's a fascinating project no matter how you slice it, and the BF pointed out as we were leaving that it reminds him of the Beltline plan in Atlanta to install a light rail train along the unused tracks that circle the inside of the city. I'm amazed at how these relics of a bygone industrial era are being reimagined for the new century.
Further reading: Friends of the High Line
High Line Preliminary Design
And speaking of revitalization projects, I've spent a couple hours this weekend giving the blog a bit of facelift. After 10 months with the same drab header, it was definitely time the old girl got a new dress. It's a work in progress and likely to change again soon.
Thoughts? Let me know.
3 Comments:
I love little tours through older areas that have been refurbished. It makes me feel like we're not so wasteful... Oh and...Love what you've done with the place. The facelift is great, can't wait to see you boys this weekend.
sorry to hear you didn't actually get to walk along it. That's the magic of it: an entire ecosystem up there at mid-building height. I have a friend who had a place with a window we could crawl out and take a walk along it. And soon, everyone will. I hope!
There's a similiar project (envisioned) with the abandoned train track outside my apartment in Jersey City. Sadly I hear it's been sold to developers as JC is booming right now. That hasn't stopped a barrage of lime green "Make my Park" signs from covering every window, car, door, sign and bench in my 'hood.
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