We are aware that even by asking Just south of West Houston Street, jutting into the Hudson River, lies one of the most tantalizing properties in the city. A recent proposal that the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum build a satellite there according to a design by Frank Gehry attests to the site s prominence. It is at the site of this hulking Pier 40 completed as a marine terminal in 1962 that community residents have long dreamed of a green park. The 15-acre pier is now used as parking for more than 2,000 cars and numerous freight trucks and buses. The current operators' permit will run another two years, and by that time the community and the now forming Hudson River Park Trust hope to have a plan under way for the pier s future use.
Many issues seem to challenge the realization of such a park.
How can a park be economically self-sustainable as initially proposed about what to do with the pier and what constitutes a park, said Alan Gerson, chair of Community Board 2. We all know that Pier 40 is special. It's a chance to have a little Central Park in our downtown neighborhood. While a vocal group in the community have long been committed to a traditional green space on the pier, Gerson hopes that the competition results will expose them to a range of options and help them develop and refine their vision. In the end, while most of the entries were not reminiscent of a City Beautiful park, many provided the green space and open space that the community so vociferously wants.