Pier55 still afloat with permit modification PIER55 continued from p. 1
ment of Pier55 will ensure that the park continues to attract millions of residents, tourists and travelers each year, while showing off the very best that New York has to offer. I applaud the Army Corps’ decision to issue a modified permit, which will keep this innovative project moving forward.” Mayor Bill de Blasio added, “This is a major step forward for a new public park on our waterfront. It has been a bumpy road, but I look forward to the day when New Yorkers from across the city can come and enjoy this remarkable open space, and all the cultural and community programming it will offer. We are grateful for Mr. Diller’s generosity in making this largest-ever donation to a city park,” de Blasio said. Chuck Schumer, the U.S. Senate minority leader, said the city needs Pier55 and its arts programming to remain a cultural leader. “The project envisioned by Hudson River Park Trust and Barry Diller will be another jewel in the crown for New York City,” he said, “making sure our cultural attractions and recreational spaces are second to none.” Councilmemer Corey Johnson lauded the nature and arts that will be part of Pier55.
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June 22, 2017
Some piles for the Pier55 project have already been pounded, specifically for a small platform along the shoreline and for one of two pedestrian bridges that would have led to the $200 million pier. Opponents are hoping it will be a bridge to nowhere, but the Hudson River Park Trust is getting set to restar t work on the project now that it has received a permit modification from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
“Pier55 presents a unique opportunity for the creation of innovative public open space in a district starved
of parks,” Johnson said. “The pier’s lush plant life will also provide refuge to native birds, butterfl ies and bees. The Village is known throughout the world as a source of groundbreaking theater, music, literature and dance, and the three performance spaces built into the park’s design will help us continue this artistic legacy. These are among the reasons why this project was approved overwhelmingly by Community Board 2 and why I hope Pier55 is completed.” Rich Caccappolo, chairperson of the C.B. 2 Parks and Waterfront Committee, said the initial project proposal went through a lot of scrutiny during its review process at the community board. “Questions, potential issues and concerns that were raised were addressed and the result was an improved plan for an amazing new space, including an incredible venue for performances, managed by an extraordinary team, in a public park under public control,” Caccappolo said. “We wanted it then and we want it even more now, because we know it will be a beautiful, unique new park that will be incredibly beneficial for a neighborhood, for the Hudson River Park, and for the entire city.” Also hailing the issuance of the modified permit was Michael Novogratz, chairperson of Friends of Hudson River Park, the park’s main private fundraising wing. “What a great day for everyone who loves Hudson River Park!” he said. “It’s truly unfortunate the park has had to use precious resources fending off a mis-
guided action to keep public parkland from being built, but we’re thrilled that the Army Corps’ has issued a modified permit and that a project with broad community support can now move forward.” In March, however, in a ruling that hit the dazzling $200 million project like a tsunami, federal Judge Lorna Schofield ruled that the Army Corps had erred in issuing a permit for the 2.75-acre “arts island.” In Schofield’s opinion, the Corps had violated the Clean Water Act in determining that the entertainment-and-recreation-focused pier was “water dependent.” The plaintiffs in the case are Tom Fox and Rob Buchanan, two members of The City Club of New York, who contend that the glitzy pier project, to be fi nanced mostly by power couple Diller and Diane von Furstenberg, was originally cooked up in secret, out of the public’s view. Judge Schofield said the Corps’ mistake was so “egregious” that she rescinded the permit, leaving the Pier55 plan “dead in the water,” according to the plaintiffs and their attorney, Richard Emery. All that has been built, so far, is part of one of two pedestrian bridges that would lead out to the “island pier,” and a small ledge extending from the bulkhead (Village shoreline) a bit. In late May, as the deadline to appeal the ruling was about to expire, the Corps and the Trust fi nally fi led notices of appeal of Schofield’s ruling. PIER55 continued on p. 8 TheVillager.com