Highline Park Reveals its Latest Expansion

The High Line Park, made from the abandoned West Side Rail Line, revealed its plans for its third phase of expansion on the night of March 12 at P.S. 11. The latest addition to the park is to be dubbed the High Line at the Rail Yards and is set to extend the existing park south of W 30th St. If the city approves the new zoning and expansion, it will encompass the area between W. 30th and W. 34th Sts. and stretch across 10th Ave. to 12th. Ave. Initial plans reveal that developers plan on continuing the established design of the park, as well as introducing new 'peel up' facilities. These include tables, work spaces, benches, and even see-saws that appear to organically rise from the planking that comprises the floor of the park. The rail yards section will also set aside 12 million square feet of space for residential, retail, and office space. Friends of the High Line estimate that the new expansion will cost roughly $90 million but have already begun raising funds. Their war chest now totals $38 million after grants and pledges by notables such as Donald Pels, Wendy Keys, The Tiffany & Co. Foundation, and the Diller- von Furstenberg Family Foundation. Roughly a third of the total cost will also be absorbed by Related Companies, which is developing the Hudson Yards. Developers hope to complete capital construction of the expansion by the end of next year, with a public opening in the spring of 2014. [gallery columns="2"]