Highline

I walked the walk. Narrow, windy, windy (pronounced both ways), running from one project to another.

Would have preferred they build an L - trains are needed on that side of Manhattan.

I think it will be really good when they put the west side highway underground. Now that would make west chelsea nice.

And the Robert Fulton Houses?

All those years I roller bladed by them there houses and never knew the name. But I just googled robert fulton and now I know. I think they should be maintained forever as a kind of park exhibit of "poor people", so the rich people in the nice buildings will feel even more relatively luxurious in their lifestyle.

Good idea, Jimbo. That's just about what's happened to 14th Street - no more Western Beef!

"Can I say... this is going to be HUGE for RE."

How?

It's pretty, but it's just a huge elevated sidewalk to ... nowhere in particular.

I think the High-line is pretty cool, but it's really a sheep in wolf's clothing. The backing for the High line came from developers with land in west Chelsea-Edison led this pack. By advancing the HIgh Line they were able to persuade the City, without the usual cacophonic community opposition, to change the zoning from industrial to residential and receive a massive-almost stupid-upzoning.

The High Line wont be half as nice as it is today when all the buildings are built around it. It will then feel much more canyon-like, especially above its southern end.

I posted the following on Curbed when it named the Highline one of the best of the decade. I agree with Steve.

Okay I'm probably a lone voice in the wilderness but count me out of High Line worship. There used to be working railroad there (my mother used to hold me up in the windows to count cars on the frieght trains) which was indicative of a city that made things and had a place for everyone, not just a pretty playground for artists and hedge fund managers. Further, if they had rebuilt the High Line as light rail it would have really helped transpo as the far west side developed. (So they put up housing for people who don't think about subway access they call town cars.) Its not like there isn't plenty of green space and recreational opportunity there with Hudson River Park--fka The Port of New York.

totally agree, liz. IMO, the High Line is so stupid & so indicative of what's wrong with the USA: manufacturing is dead, we don't make material things anymore; it's all about services & lookin pretty: all facade, no substance. There used to be industry on the far west side, but no more.

Ew, thankfully the "industry" blight on the far west side is gone.

I much prefer pretty.

I'm with you, Liz. It's pretty, but rather pointless in my view. There were many more functional possibilities that were shut down to make it into an industrial museum piece covered in plants.

There is enough function in this city. More beauty please.

what were the functional possibilities?