The project budget is estimated at $ 130 million. Of these, 17 million are contributed by the city, and more than 100 million - by the foundation of media mogul Barry Diller and fashion designer Diana von Fürstenberg (this couple was also one of the key sponsors of the High Line). The new park should be part of a large-scale reconstruction of the embankment, which has already partially turned from an industrial area into a green public area - Hudson River Park (Hudson River Park). A specially organized non-profit trust fund P55 will be responsible for spending the funds and then managing the park over the next 20 years. It is headed personally by Barry Diller, and Oscar-winning producer Scott Rudin became vice-president. Everything is very American-style - pretentious, with a taste for charity events and a real Hollywood scale - it is no coincidence that the heads of the fund are so close to the film industry. But what will the city and its inhabitants receive as a result?
Construction in the area of 13th Street of the Lower West Side is planned to begin in 2016 and be completed by the winter of 2018/2019. The place is historical: it was here, on pier 54, that the passengers who survived the crash of the Titanic were brought. Now, instead of the rotted 3400 wooden piles of the old pier, 341 concrete piles will be driven into the bottom. Their height varies from 4.6 m above the water level to almost 21.6 m, which will create an unusual hilly relief of the park and … provide the fish with sunlight.
It will be possible to get to the almost square-shaped "island of relaxation" via two pedestrian bridges.2 open lawns, groves, observation decks and recreation areas will be located. But the main character of this park is an open amphitheater with 700 seats. It is planned to hold a variety of events here, the scenery for which will serve as fantastic views of the river and the city. Moreover, all citizens will be able to get to performances, concerts and shows for a purely symbolic amount or even free of charge.
In fact, the project was not so daring, at least - for New York, where more than 13 such piers have already turned into sports centers, museums, and public areas. It's amazing how big cities find more and more reserves in an attempt to soften the pace of life at least a little and create a comfortable, human-centered environment.
