On Nov. 13, 2013, over 250 people were in attendance as more than 20 community groups joined GVSHP for a Town Hall regarding an amendment to the Hudson River Park Act (signed by Gov. Cuomo during the meeting) allowing park air rights to be transferred one block inland for development in our neighborhood adjacent to the Hudson River waterfront. Photo: All Rights Reserved GVSHP
The West Village Air Rights Issue
Simultaneous to the VID-co-sponsored forum questioning the new Air Rights Legislation, Assembly Bill 8031/Senate Bill 5824 is signed into law by Governor Cuomo. A GVSHP-VID-Air-Rights-Letter drafted by Andrew Berman (GVSHP) was approved this week by VID’s Executive Committee. It outlines a long list of necessary questions left unanswered by the legislation. The letter’s goal is to ensure that the allowance for air rights transfers is not, and cannot be, used in a way which would be harmful to our neighborhoods and to efforts to preserve their scale and character.
Other organizations supporting the air rights legislation Forum [and Post Forum letter] include:
Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation
Save Chelsea
Council of Chelsea Block Associations
Greenwich Village Community Task Force
Tribeca Trust
Chelsea Reform Democratic Club
Downtown Independent Democrats
Charles Street Association
Charlton Street Block Association
VanDam Street Block Association
West 12th Street Block Association
Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club
West 13th Street 100 Block Association
Morton Street Block Association
Perry Street Block Association
Perry Street Crusaders
Village Reform Democratic Club
Greenwich Village Block Associations
Attached you will find the Hudson River Park Air Rights presentation and GVSHP’s case and campaign against unencumbered distribution of air rights from the Hudson River piers to development along a 5-mile stretch along the West Side Highway from Chambers to 59th St. and potentially as far east as 9th Avenue.
Of particular concern to VID members is the roughly $118 million needed to make basic repairs to Pier 40, a nearly 15-acre expanse with ball fields and a 775,000-square-foot building with offices, sports facilities and a parking garage. Also, of concern to VID and the Greenwich Village community is how to maintain and improve the Hudson River Park and particularly Pier 40.
Additional Hudson River Park Trust Air Rights Legislation coverage can be found at:
Crains NY Business. 11/14/13
NY Daily News 11/14/13
Chelsea Now 11/14/13
Villager 11/14/13
NY Daily News 11/12/13
Villager 11/07/13
NY Times 08/12/13