NEW YORK—Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced two milestones toward reshaping the West Side on Monday: the rezoning of the Hudson Yards Area and the completion of the first phase of the Number 7 train expansion. He spoke at the Manhattan Hudson Yards on 11th Avenue between 27th and 28th streets.
“With the re-zoning in place and the extension of the number 7 subway line on the way, the area is finally poised to become a vibrant new residential and commercial neighborhood with more than 10 acres of public open space, new cultural amenities and a new public school,” said Bloomberg in a press statement.
If the redevelopment plan for the Western Hudson Rail Yards is approved, it will, together with the already-approved plan for the Eastern Rail Yards, result in the development of approximately a 12 million square-foot area consisting of commercial, residential, and public space.
The development of the Eastern and Western Rail Yards, located between West 30th and 33rd streets and 11th and 12th avenues, will be undertaken by Related Companies. Construction will begin in 2011, starting with the development of the commercial Eastern Rail Yards.
The city will contribute $40 million dollars toward 6,000 housing units, 1,300 of which will be affordable housing. Space has also been allocated for one public school, as well as cultural facilities and 10 acres of public space. Officials said that many green initiatives would be implemented in the development.
Bloomberg emphasized the importance of large development initiatives in the current economic climate. He called the area “the Gold Coast of New York City.”
“Despite the economic downturn we’re not going to stop moving forward on major economic development projects that create jobs and prepare the city for future growth,” said Bloomberg in a press statement.
The project, which went through the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), benefited from a transparent process, which also allowed for community involvement in its development. The inclusion of affordable housing in the proposal was a triumph of the Community Board 4’s Housing, Health & Human Services committee, which scored other key victories in the negotiations, such as doubling the development of cultural space and the reduction of building heights.
While there were still some disagreements, such as over the large scale and high density of the project, comments from the officials gathered on Monday indicated a victory for all players in the project.
“This is a great example of cooperation and getting it done,” said Congressman Jerrold Nadler.
Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer agreed. “It’s very unusual to get a role to play in building Manhattan’s next neighborhood,” he said.
Coinciding with the plan for development of the Hudson Yard is the extension of the number 7 train, which will bring rail transit to the area. The city-funded $2.1 billion project, managed by the MTA, is set to be completed in 2013. This Monday marked the completion of the first phase of the project, with completion of twin tunnels stretching from 26th Street and 11th Avenue to the 34th Street Station.
“Extending the 7 Line to 34 Street and 11th Avenue will not just open up the Hudson Yards, it will bring New York’s next great commercial and cultural center to life and make sure that our city will continue to thrive,” said Council Speaker Christine Quinn in a press statement.
“For decades, leaders have tried to tap the potential of these projects. Now it is actually being done,” said Bloomberg on Monday.
The subway expansion marks the first expansion of the system in over 50 years.
“Too often, government falls victim to the temptation to abandon long-term infrastructure projects amidst short-term downturns, and that’s why big things never get done. The redevelopment of the Hudson Yards has been talked about for decades, but with the expansion of the number 7 line, its potential will finally be realized,” said Bloomberg in a press statement.
“With the re-zoning in place and the extension of the number 7 subway line on the way, the area is finally poised to become a vibrant new residential and commercial neighborhood with more than 10 acres of public open space, new cultural amenities and a new public school,” said Bloomberg in a press statement.
If the redevelopment plan for the Western Hudson Rail Yards is approved, it will, together with the already-approved plan for the Eastern Rail Yards, result in the development of approximately a 12 million square-foot area consisting of commercial, residential, and public space.
The development of the Eastern and Western Rail Yards, located between West 30th and 33rd streets and 11th and 12th avenues, will be undertaken by Related Companies. Construction will begin in 2011, starting with the development of the commercial Eastern Rail Yards.
The city will contribute $40 million dollars toward 6,000 housing units, 1,300 of which will be affordable housing. Space has also been allocated for one public school, as well as cultural facilities and 10 acres of public space. Officials said that many green initiatives would be implemented in the development.
‘Gold Coast of NYC’
Bloomberg emphasized the importance of large development initiatives in the current economic climate. He called the area “the Gold Coast of New York City.”
“Despite the economic downturn we’re not going to stop moving forward on major economic development projects that create jobs and prepare the city for future growth,” said Bloomberg in a press statement.
The project, which went through the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), benefited from a transparent process, which also allowed for community involvement in its development. The inclusion of affordable housing in the proposal was a triumph of the Community Board 4’s Housing, Health & Human Services committee, which scored other key victories in the negotiations, such as doubling the development of cultural space and the reduction of building heights.
While there were still some disagreements, such as over the large scale and high density of the project, comments from the officials gathered on Monday indicated a victory for all players in the project.
“This is a great example of cooperation and getting it done,” said Congressman Jerrold Nadler.
Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer agreed. “It’s very unusual to get a role to play in building Manhattan’s next neighborhood,” he said.
Twin Tunnels
Coinciding with the plan for development of the Hudson Yard is the extension of the number 7 train, which will bring rail transit to the area. The city-funded $2.1 billion project, managed by the MTA, is set to be completed in 2013. This Monday marked the completion of the first phase of the project, with completion of twin tunnels stretching from 26th Street and 11th Avenue to the 34th Street Station.
“Extending the 7 Line to 34 Street and 11th Avenue will not just open up the Hudson Yards, it will bring New York’s next great commercial and cultural center to life and make sure that our city will continue to thrive,” said Council Speaker Christine Quinn in a press statement.
“For decades, leaders have tried to tap the potential of these projects. Now it is actually being done,” said Bloomberg on Monday.
The subway expansion marks the first expansion of the system in over 50 years.
“Too often, government falls victim to the temptation to abandon long-term infrastructure projects amidst short-term downturns, and that’s why big things never get done. The redevelopment of the Hudson Yards has been talked about for decades, but with the expansion of the number 7 line, its potential will finally be realized,” said Bloomberg in a press statement.
