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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 142-03
May 30, 2003

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG AND GOVERNOR GEORGE E. PATAKI OPEN GREENWICH VILLAGE SEGMENT OF HUDSON RIVER PARK

Three Piers and Nine and One-Half Acres of Upland Now Open to the Public

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Governor George E. Pataki today celebrated the opening of Hudson River Park’s Greenwich Village Segment – the first completed section of Hudson River Park, which stretches across more than nine and one-half acres and three piers from Clarkson Street to Horatio Street.  Hudson River Park is the first park in New York to be designed as financially self-sustaining, meaning that all revenues generated within the park will be dedicated back to the park to cover the costs of maintenance and operation.  The Greenwich Village Segment is linked to the rest of Hudson River Park, as well as the Battery, Battery Park City and Riverside Park along the Route 9A Greenway, which was constructed by the State Department of Transportation.  The park will include sunning lawns, a fountain, two comfort stations, a dog run, food concessions, and magnificent display garden donated by the Garden Club of America.  

“It’s tremendously satisfying to take part in the opening of the first new portion of Hudson River Park, which stretches across more than nine and one-half acres from Clarkson Street to Horatio Street and onto three piers,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Thanks to the collaboration at all levels of government, and the advocacy efforts of the community and civic leaders to protect the waterfront, New Yorkers will be able to share in this spectacular new park.  The completion of this segment is an important first step in what promises to be a remarkable urban oasis for New Yorkers, and this park is a striking example of what we can do when we work together to reclaim our City’s waterfront.”

“Hudson River Park represents a significant step towards the State and City’s commitment to taking back our waterfront and making it accessible to the public at large,” said Governor Pataki. “The innovative design preserves the ecology of the Hudson by protecting striped bass spawning grounds, refurbishes neglected and collapsing piers, and creates a world class venue from which to experience all the New York Waterfront has to offer.”

“The opening of this park is an exciting culmination of years of public interest and investment in this area of the Hudson River waterfront,” New York City Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe said. “Since the Dutch arrived on these shores in 1624, the waterfront has been blocked off for commerce.  For the first time in 370 years, the river’s edge in Lower Manhattan is open to the public for recreational use.  This event celebrates the collaboration between the State and City providing waterfront access to New Yorkers for generations to come.”

Hudson River Park encompasses 450 acres west of Route 9A (150 acres upland and 300 acres under water) from Battery Place to 59th Street and includes 13 public piers.  In 1998, the Hudson River Park Trust was created under state law as the permanent entity responsible for implementing and operating the park.  The City and State have each contributed $100 million towards development of the park, and the construction estimate currently stands at approximately $400 million. It is expected that the remaining funds will be a mix of public and privately raised funds. Revenues from all commercial leases within the park are retained by the Trust to cover the cost of park operations.

When completed, Hudson River Park will stretch five miles – from Battery Park to 59th Street  – along the Hudson River and will include a continuous waterside esplanade and bikeway/walkway, 13 public piers, a marine sanctuary and a large variety of boating facilities, recreation fields, gardens, and green lawns.  Hudson River Park Trust is building the park in six segments.  Though there will be consistent design themes throughout the park, a different architect will design each section of the park.  The Greenwich Village Segment, also known as Segment 4, was designed by the firm of Abel Bainnson Butz, a long-established New York City Landscape Architecture firm that has been behind the design of some of our most prominent public spaces including Riverbank State Park. 

Each of the public piers within Greenwich Segment offers different pursuits: Pier 45 (1.9 acres) features a large sunning lawn; Pier 46 (0.7 acres) features a synthetic-turf play field; and Pier 51 (0.4 acres) features a playground with spray showers and a giant ship’s prow jutting over the edge of the pier deck.

“Hudson River Park reconnects New Yorkers to its historic Hudson River,” said former Hudson River Park Chairman James Ortenzio. “The opening of the Greenwich Village Segment more than an important first step in the completion of Hudson River Park.  It’s a way to reconnect New Yorkers to its historic Hudson River.”

“Governor George Pataki and Mayor Michael Bloomberg should be recognized for their vision and continuing commitment to Hudson River Park,” said Hudson River Park President Robert Balachandran. “Through Hudson River Park’s creation, we have reclaimed the Hudson River waterfront and are in the process of transforming it from a series of run-down, abandoned piers to a Mecca for New Yorkers of all ages to enjoy for years to come.”

The President of the Hudson Park Trust is Robert Balachandran; the Executive Vice President is Connie Fishman.  The Vice President for Design is Marc Boddewyn. The Board of Directors consists of 13 individuals.  The Mayor and Governor each appoint five members and the Borough President appoints three, although only two may vote.  The current, newly appointed Chair is Charles “Trip” Dorkey, who has been appointed by the Governor for a 2-year term. All Board members are appointed for four-year terms, however, each serves at the pleasure of the Mayor, Governor or Borough President respectively.

City Representatives include Deputy Mayor for Economic Development & Rebuilding Daniel Doctoroff (Vice-Chair), NYC Parks Department Commissioner Adrian Benepe, former executive of La Prairie Cosmetics Georgette Mosbacher, former NYC Parks Commissioner Henry J. Stern and former NYC Planning Commission Chair Joseph B. Rose.  State Representatives include Charles “Trip” Dorkey (Chair), NYS Office of Parks Commissioner Bernadette Castro, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Erin M. Crotty, Shearson Lehman Brothers Partner Theodore Roosevelt IV, and Advisor to the Governor Diana Taylor.  Borough Representatives include former State Senator for the West Side of Manhattan and Riverdale Franz Leichter, Esq., Community Board 1 Chair Madelyn Wils, and Director of Development, Museum of Jewish Heritage Julie Nadel.





CONTACT:

Ed Skyler/Jennifer Falk   (212) 788-2958

Lisa Stoll/Mollie Fullington (Governor)   (212) 681-4640

Megan Sheekey   (Parks)
(212) 360-1311


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