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History of Tribeca Buildings
In the News: A Possible Hudson River Park Solution
••• “Hudson River Park […] may have a new source of money as a result of a deal reached in Albany. Rather than allowing housing on Pier 40, as some advocates had wanted, the bill would allow the Hudson River Park Trust, the public benefit corporation overseeing development and operations of the park, to sell air rights up to one block east of the park’s boundaries, across the West Side Highway. In the case of Pier 40, one of the park’s revenue-generating sites, the money would help the trust pay for the more than $100 million in needed repair work on its deteriorated pilings and roof. The bill, which would amend the act that established the park, has the support of both the Assembly and Senate and is expected to be approved this week. It would expand some of the allowable commercial uses at Pier 40, at Houston Street, as well as others designated for development along the park. In addition to entertainment and retail, developers would be able to build film and television studios, schools, amusement rides and performing arts spaces.” I’m all for creative solutions to financing Hudson River Park (indeed, great minds etc. etc.), but this seems a little too Albany. Is there going to be any community input? UPDATE: See Amy’s comment. (Above: The almost-finished upland Tribeca section; thanks to Diane for the photo.) —The New York Times
••• A lovely remembrance of actor James Gandolfini, by his former doorman. —The New York Times
••• “Big news for W.I.P., as the Soho nightclub was victorious in its legal battle with the State Liquor Authority to keep its liquor license.” —Eater
••• A remarkably humor-free dialogue on what it’s like to take a class at Aqua. —Gawker
••• The Wall Street Journal on the Battery Conservancy’s chair-designing contest. You can skip to paragraph seven.
••• What Tribeca should fear about Soho. —Racked
••• “Leonardo DiCaprio went apartment hunting in Tribeca yesterday and had a foul-mouthed outburst that drew the attention of the NYPD. […] ‘They thought DiCaprio was acting like a 12-year-old,’ says our source.” —New York Daily News
2 Comments
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Unclear what the changes to the HRP Act mean exactly in terms of development, as would imagine any transferred development rights would have to comply with in-place zoning. But you’re definitely right, will be a huge win for buildings like 550 Washington (less so for the portions of Tribeca subject to height limits).
The other big component of the deal is the cruise ship fees- can we hope all of these new revenue sources mean they will (and should!) back off trying to tax residents and small business owners for the Neighborhood Improvement District (NID)? If we have to put up with all of this new development in our neighborhood, the least they can do is stop asking us for another handout.
P.S. Was at the CB1 Exec Committee meeting last night and while they didn’t have any details on the Act, said they hoped someone from Glick’s office would be at the full Board meeting Tuesday to explain…there’s a great article over at Gotham Gazette though about how there was no public input (to the point of even only letting Trust members speak during the so-called public session at the last Trust meeting). Supposedly the public input will come later…
http://www.gothamgazette.com/index.php/environment/1389-hudson-park-challenges#Spectra
The air rights aim to be an important step to long term capital funding and ultimately self-sustainability for the Hudson River Park.
The NID continues to be important as it will provide much needed operation and maintenance funds.