SEPTEMBER 15: THE KITCHEN HIGH LINE BLOCK PARTY FREE
Please join Friends of the High Line and The Kitchen for
our second Kitchen High Line Block Party next Saturday, September 15, from 12:00 Noon to 5:00 PM.
We'll be transforming 19th Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues (under the High Line),
into a colorful, kid-friendly bazaar with artist-led activities, crafts and workshops, live performances, and food from neighborhood restaurants.
Artist-led activities will include bean
planting and potato printing, a singing telegram, storytelling, body painting, a castle made of recycled material, a hula-hoop workshop, a reptile petting zoo, mask-, puppet-,
kite-making—and more!
The Kitchen High Line Block Party: FREE
Saturday, September 15
12:00 Noon — 5:00 PM
West 19th Street between 10th and 11th Avenues
Rain or shine
On July 13, the MTA issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development of the West Side Rail Yards between
30th and 33rd Streets, including both the Eastern Rail Yards (ERY) and the Western Rail Yards (WRY). This represents a major milestone for the development of the West Side,
and the city in general, as these two parcels represent the largest remaining undeveloped sites in Manhattan. The issuance of the RFPs is also a major milestone for the High
Line, as the sites includes inform the fate of the last, unprotected, 30% of the High Line north of 30th Street.
The good news is that the RFPs state a clear preference for the preservation of the High Line: "Retaining the existing High Line structure as linear open space within the WRY [and ERY] is a goal shared by the MTA, the City, and Councilmember [Quinn]".
This is a significant positive step forward towards preservation at the site.
However, this is not a guarantee of preservation. The RFP requires that developers submit proposals both with and without the High Line, so the MTA can evaluate
the costs, if any, associated with preserving the High Line structure. We are hopeful that developers will recognize the historic opportunity before them, and we will seek to work with the MTA, the City
and the selected developer to insure that everyone fully appreciates the civic importance of the High Line at these sites.
Developer proposals are due October 11. We will keep you posted on future actions that affect the High Line and how you can help advocate for its preservation.
THE HIGH LINE AND BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION SAFETY
In the wake of the tragic bridge collapse in Minneapolis on August 1, we've received numerous questions about the structural capacity and
condition of the High Line. Is the High Line structurally sound? Is the High Line susceptible to a structural failure similar to that of the bridge in Minneapolis?
The High Line is structurally sound, and it is different from the Minneapolis bridge in a number of ways. First of all, in terms of its structural design, the High Line employs a much simpler structural
system, using single-span beams and girders on columns, spanning short distances, as opposed to a more complex "truss-deck" bridge designed for larger spans. This means that the loads for
any given area on the High Line are transferred immediately to the underlying beams, and to the ground through the nearest column. Secondly, the High Line was designed for a much greater loads—by
a factor of 20—than what is necessary for its future use as a pedestrian promenade. Thirdly, under the guidance of noted structural engineers Robert Silman & Associates, the High Line has
just undergone a comprehensive inspection and repair program as part of its transformation into a park. The engineers' inspection has revealed that the High Line structure, in general, is in remarkably
good condition. At specific locations, however, repair work includes removal and replacement of small areas of rusted steel, and replacement of underperforming rivet connections. In addition, the concrete
slab has been tested and, wherever necessary, patched or replaced in order to insure its integrity. Finally, complete sandblasting and repainting of the structure will protect the condition of the
steel over the long term.
Safety on the High Line is our top priority. Over time, the High Line structure will be inspected periodically and repaired, as necessary, in order to ensure that there are no risks to the public.
EPA BROWNFIELDS GRANT GOES TO FUND SECTION 2 REMEDIATION WORK
Site preparation work on Section 2 of the High Line (from 20th to 30th Streets) is being made possible in part by a $200,000 Brownfields Cleanup
Grant to the City of New York from the US Environmental Protection Agency. The grant funds the remediation of contaminants, particularly lead paint, associated with the
High Line's former use as a rail viaduct.
During Site Preparation, the steel and concrete structure are repaired and prepared for the installation of the new park environment and access points. Site preparation on Section 1 is projected to be
complete in the next few weeks, after which Landscape Construction will begin. Section 1 is anticipated to open to the public in 2008.
Friends of the High Line and the City of New York hold regular construction update meetings for the community. If you're interested in attending, or have comments on grant funding, remediation, or construction
please send an e-mail to construction@thehighline.org.
You can now view this three-minute video showcasing this summer's
High Line Portrait Project. Photographer Tom Kletecka took pictures of more than 1,000 High Line
supporters in front of a High Line backdrop originally photographed by Joel Sternfeld. Filmmaker Matt Wolf created this video from the portraits, as well as pictures of the
Portrait Project being installed in outdoor locations around the High Line. The High Line Portrait Project is made possible by the generous support of Fujifilm.
On
September 29, Friends of the High Line and the Horticulture Society of New York will present a special tour for
High Line supporters of HSNY's GreenBranches sites in Red Hook, Brooklyn. We will meet in Manhattan where a trolley will pick us up and take us to the Red Hook sites.
GreenBranches is a community project which works to install and maintain gardens around the city's public library branches. In conjunction with HSNY's GreenHouse program, many of the sites are maintained
by inmates at Rikers Island who have been trained in horticultural and landscape maintenance. Others are maintained by student groups through HSNY's Apple Seeds program. On September 25, HSNY will present
an in-depth look at the program at their office in Midtown. For details, please call (212) 757-0915, x100 or e-mail fluhrmann@hsny.org.
FHL SEEKS PART-TIME BOOKKEEPER
FHL is seeking a part-time bookkeeper one or two days per week. Responsibilities will include: processing accounts
payable, handling petty cash, completing monthly bank reconciliations, processing payroll, preparing monthly financial reports, and assisting in
the preparation of annual audit documents.
Requirements:
• Three+ years non-profit bookkeeping experience
• BA or equivalent degree
• Proficiency with QuickBooks, MS Word, & MS Excel
• Knowledge of Raiser's Edge a plus
To Apply:
Submit cover letter and resume to
Rick Little
Director of Operations
Friends of the High Line
430 West 14th Street, Suite 304
New York, NY 10014
DONATE TO FRIENDS OF THE HIGH LINE
The High Line project has won many major victories in recent months, thanks to the support of our donors. By making an online donation,
you will help us continue our work with our public partners, our design team, and the High Line community to create one of the most exciting public open spaces in New York City. You'll also become part of
an ever-growing group of supporters and will be invited to special Friends of the High Line events.
Click the DONATE button
above and fill in the secure form to donate online by check
or credit card (American Express, Discover, Mastercard
and Visa). Friends of the High Line uses PayPal,
which lets any individual or business with an e-mail address
securely make donations online.
