GVSHP opposes “Vegas-on-the-Hudson” proposal
GVSHP has come out against Related Companies’ proposal for a 600,000 sq. ft., 10,000-seat, nearly $700 million multi-venue mega-entertainment complex on Pier 40 at Clarkson Street. Dubbed “Vegas-on-the-Hudson” by critics, GVSHP believes that Related’s “Performing Arts Center” (PAC) proposal, which they describe as a “downtown Lincoln Center,” would overwhelm both the Hudson River Park and the surrounding West Village, Hudson Square, and SoHo neighborhoods, and attract an almost-entirely tourist clientele which would arrive largely by automobile. The PAC proposal would require approval not only by the Hudson River Park Trust, but by the City Council and the City Planning Commission, since the massive project would require zoning changes to get around the current 30 ft. height limit for this location (the PAC buildings could go as high as 160 feet). CLICK HERE for GVSHP’s letters to City and State officials who will be part of the decision-making process for this proposal. See coverage of this issue in the April 26th New York Sun for additional information.
While GVSHP has historically not gotten involved in Hudson River Park development issues, the unprecedented scope and impact of the PAC proposal, particularly upon the neighboring inland areas, prompted us to act in this case. GVSHP is concerned that the Pier 40 plan, combined with the pending approval of Donald Trump’s 45-story “condo-hotel” at nearby Spring and Varick Streets, has the potential to turn the neighboring area into a high-density, high-rise, high-traffic-generating regional entertainment zone, and we have thus repeated our call (made since the Trump proposal first came to light) to consider zoning changes for the area to prevent inappropriate development.
GVSHP is working with a coalition of community groups opposing the PAC Plan for Pier 40, including the Pier, Park, and Playground Association. CLICK HERE and HERE for more information about the PAC proposal.
HOW TO HELP:
- COME TO THE PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS ON PIER 40 next Thursday, May 3rd, at 7 P.M., at P.S. 41, 116 West 11th Street (btw. 6th and 7th Avenues) and SHOW YOUR OPPOSITION TO “VEGAS-ON-THE-HUDSON”!
Next: 06/15/07 |
