NYC's High Line: round 3

As one of the most well-known and popular urban revitalization projects in recent memory, New York's High Line has proven the effectiveness and impact of adaptive reuse and urban green space.

In past posts, we've looked at the design and completed phases of the project, as well as associated urban art projects and community development.

Today, we're sharing newly-released images of the planned design for the last major phase of the park, presented by James Corner, of James Corner Field Operations, and Ric Scofidio of Diller Scofidio + Renfro at a community input meeting earlier this week in Chelsea.

This highly-anticipated portion of the High Line is slated for completion at the end of 2013, and open to the public in early 2014. Even though we have a bit of a wait to see these concepts implemented at the abandoned rail yards at the site, they provide insight into how the final design will connect the neighborhoods along Manhattan's West Side, as see in the diagram below.

The completed High Line will integrate into its surroundings as it wraps around the proposed Hudson Yards development, a commercial and residential district west of Eighth Ave, the 'once-desolate area of factories, lofts and parking lots' (NY Times) that was the designated site proposed for New York's bid to host the 2012 Olympics.

Features of the latest design include a passageway to this future complex, as well as the largest open gathering space along the High Line, currently designed with amphitheater-type seating, and an extensive children's play area.

For more information on the design intentions and contextual relationships, check out the renderings below of the newest portion of this above-ground urban park, or read the latest blog post from Friends of the High Line...

'The rail yards section will extend the High Line’s distinctive design vocabulary established south of West 30th Street, evoking the High Line’s history as an active freight rail line, and the unique self-seeded landscape that grew up between the tracks when the trains stopped running in the 1980s.'

'The High Line’s concrete deck is removed, revealing the framework of the High Line’s original beams and girders, covered with a thick rubber safety coating, and transformed into a unique play feature for kids.'

'A simple design solution to respond to the phased construction of the High Line and Hudson Yards, the interim walkway would provide public access to the entire length of the High Line, allowing visitors to walk all the way to West 34th Street and experience new views of the city.'

Many thanks to the City of New York and Friends of the High Line for the images and descriptions from James Corner Field Operations and Diller Scofodio + Renfro...

To support the fundraising efforts for this project, visit Friends of the High Line for ways to contribute to this exceptional project.