Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Sunday, September 26, 1999

Release #375-99

Contact: Sunny Mindel (212) 788-2958



GOVERNOR PATAKI AND MAYOR GIULIANI CUT RIBBON ON FIRST PHASE OF HUDSON RIVER PARK

Governor George E. Pataki and Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today opened the completed first phase of Hudson River Park, a two-block stretch of newly developed parkland on the Hudson River between West Charles Street and West 11th Street. Surrounded by magnificent views of the Hudson River and the Manhattan skyline, Phase One is the first section of what will soon become a 550-acre, five-mile park, to be built by the Hudson River Park Trust.

"A year ago, this area was an unsightly strip of crumbling asphalt - a sorry remnant of a once thriving port. Now its time has come again," Governor Pataki said. "I am delighted to participate in remaking the history of this once grand gateway to New York, and in giving such a beautiful green gem to New Yorkers."

"For decades, this stretch of the Hudson River has been characterized by decay," Mayor Giuliani said. "The opening of the first phase of Hudson River Park reflects the resolution of the City and State, as well as the citizens of New York, to return the West Side waterfront to the public and create a lasting legacy for our children. New York City is made up of three islands and a peninsula, and its waterfronts and waterways are of vital importance. Their resurgence shows how far we have come in the last several years."

Located in Greenwich Village, Phase One of the Hudson River Park is designed for passive recreation and features green lawns, trees, flowers, and tranquil granite seating areas. Cobblestones from the turn of the century have been reused to connect the park to the historic Greenwich Village community.

"On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Hudson River Park Trust, I am pleased to share this milestone with the Governor, the Mayor and the people of New York City. In a few years, what you see today will extend for five entire miles of our shoreline," James A. Ortenzio, Chairman of the Board of the Hudson River Park Trust.

"New Yorkers want to be able to enjoy their waterfront. They want to see a park built within their lifetime. I am delighted that people will now be able to enjoy this area, and am committed to building the rest of the park as quickly as possible," said Robert P. Balachandran, President of the Hudson River Park Trust.

Hudson River Park is a joint project between New York State and New York City to create a world-class park along five miles of Manhattan's shoreline, from Battery Park to 59th Street. Phase One, a two-block stretch built at a cost of $1.6 million, will eventually become part of a five-mile continuous esplanade. The park will include thirteen piers dedicated to public recreation; play and sports areas for adults and children; and beaches, balconies and other places that provide access to the water for swimming and fishing. Including the river area between the piers, Hudson River Park will add over 550 acres of open space to New York City.

Established by State legislation, the $330 million park will be the newest and most significant public space to be created since Central Park. The Park is being planned and built by the Hudson River Park Trust, a unique state-city partnership whose sole mission is to design, build and operate the park. Construction began in 1998 and is scheduled to be completed in 2003.





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