Running out of options to help pay for spiraling maintenance costs at the park that runs along Manhattan's western waterfront, Friends of Hudson River Park (FOHRP) have begun floating the idea of establishing a Neighborhood Improvement District.
With a proposal to loosen development restrictions unlikely to pass the New York State Legislature and maintenance costs mounting, FOHRP is looking for a little help from its friends and neighbors to help ensure that the park meets its mandate for self-sustainability, reports Tom Stoelker.
"The FOHRP plan includes a tax for nearby residences and businesses
located approximately two blocks inland from Chambers Street to 59th
Street...The plan would charge residents about 7.5 cents per square foot, meaning
that a snug West Village condo measuring 500 square feet will pay
$37.50 per year."
According to a New York Times article published recently, the costs of maintaining just one facility in the park - Pier 40 - have been such a drain on funds that the Hudson River Park Trust is considering shutting down the pier entirely, displacing 1,600 drivers that use its parking spaces and hundreds of sports teams that use its fields.
"So far the reaction [to the NID] has been somewhat muted," notes Stoelker, "though major commercial
interests are lined up behind the proposal, with representatives from
Durst Organization, Tishman Speyer, REBNY, and Two Trees sitting on the
FOHRP steering committee."
David Gruber, chair of Community Board 2 "thinks the tax can be justified easily. 'It's a dinner out,' he said of the cost."
FULL STORY: Hudson Calling

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Half of Post-Fire Altadena Home Sales Were to Corporations
Large investors are quietly buying up dozens of properties in Altadena, California, where a devastating wildfire destroyed more than 6,000 homes in January.

Opinion: What San Francisco’s Proposed ‘Family Zoning’ Could Really Mean
Mayor Lurie is using ‘family zoning’ to encourage denser development and upzoning — but could the concept actually foster community and more human-scale public spaces?

Jacksonville Launches First Autonomous Transit Shuttle in US
A fleet of 14 fully autonomous vehicles will serve a 3.5-mile downtown Jacksonville route with 12 stops.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont