Community Update on Pier 40:
Hudson River Park Trust has scheduled a public meeting to present the proposed design for Gansevoort Peninsula on Wednesday July 24th at 6:30pm at 75 Morton Street. Given the tremendous growth in the youth population and the addition of new high schools, middle schools and elementary schools near Hudson River Park, it is critical that the 5.5 acre Gansevoort Peninsula include a 2 acre full-sized field.
This allows maximum flexibility for field use, one middle school or high school game or many groups using the space for recreation and/or practice purposes.
We hope you can join us and continue to advocate for a full-sized field.
COMMUNITY CONVERSATION
Gansevoort Peninsula
Design Concept Presentation and Community Q&A
Wednesday, July 24
M.S. 297, Cafeteria, 75 Morton St.
6:30 PM
The design team led by James Corner Field Operations will present the preliminary concept design for the Gansevoort Peninsula section of Hudson River Park, followed by Q&A. The meeting will be hosted jointly by the Hudson River Park Trust and Community Board 2.
Hudson River Park Update: Pier 40 and Gansevoort Peninsula
Recently, the New York State Senate and Assembly passed legislation to amend the Hudson River Park Act to permit the development of office space on Pier 40. Governor Cuomo has until year end to sign this legislation into law. The legislation will permit the development or redevelopment of Pier 40 for office space, likely doubling the size of current building and adding nearly 90,000 sq. ft. of new field space. Not included are commitments for continuous use of the fields during construction, maintenance of ground floor fields and indoor park space. This will be a long process and likely result in changes to Pier 40 over the next eight to 10 years.
Meanwhile, the Hudson River Park Trust is designing the 5.5 acre Gansevoort Peninsula now and our goal is to ensure that this includes a 2 acre full-sized field to serve the needs of the growing population near Hudson River Park. The Trust is planning a design meeting for late July and as soon as we have the details, we will share them.
For additional information on the legislation, please see below.
What does the legislation permit at Pier 40.
The legislation will permit the development or redevelopment of Pier 40, likely doubling the size of current building and adding nearly 100,000 sq. ft. of new field space.
- Development or Redevelopment
- Add 800,000 sq. ft. of office space, (700,000 sq. ft. plus 50,000 sq. ft. for HRP Trust offices and 50,000 sq. ft. for operations) to any existing park-based commercial uses (such as parking, commercial and indoor park space)
- Cap building height at 88 ft. plus 25 ft. for mechanicals.
- Allows a 49 year lease with a 25 and 24 year renewals.
- Park Space
- Increase the footprint of open space on Pier 40 from 65% from 50% if the pier is redeveloped.
- Increase playing fields to 320,000 sq. ft. from approximately 210,000 sq. ft. currently.
- Maintain a public waterside walkway surrounding the pier.
- Provide for a boathouse and water access on the south side of the pier.
- Public Review
- Create a Pier 40 Task Force to review and comment on request for proposals comprised of representatives from elected officials and Community Board 2 (6-8 members), and one from both CB 1 and CB 4.
- Require any development or redevelopment to be subject to New York City’s Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), a seven-month public review process.
What is not in the legislation.
Going forward, youth sports advocates will need to ensure that any development or redevelopment of Pier 40 will provide for:
- Continuous use of all or a portion of the 210,000 sq. ft. of fields.
- Maintain ground floor fields of 160,000 sq. ft. or 50% of the total new fields space of 320,00 sq. ft.
- Ensure Pier 40 remains a public park with continuous public access
- Expand indoor park uses including the indoor soccer field and baseball facilities.
What is the timing and process.
This is a long process and likely will not result in changes to Pier 40 for 8-10 years. Key steps are signing the legislation into law, drafting a request for proposals, issuing the RFP, selecting the development team, zoning approval through New York City’s ULURP process and construction.