High line project on track.

The City's Department of Planning has finally made public its proposal to transform the West Side's High Line rail system, now moss-covered and unused, into an elevated park. The space under and around it would be mixed-use space: retail, commercial and residential, or so the department hopes.

"Turning a significant historic structure like the High Line into an elevated park provides a tremendous opportunity--not just in terms of open space, but in terms of character," said department director, Amanda Burden. "We're working closely with the community to ensure that."

Also in the works is a plan to re-zone West Chelsea, the area within West 17th St. and 30th Sts., between 10th and 11th Avenues and stop the erection of buildings directly surrounding the High Line that would block light from the piers into the proposed park. The department also wants to allow a direct walking path, with plenty of open space for park visitors, from Gansevoort all the way to Times Square. The path would run along 1.6 miles of the old High Line, between 10th and 11th Avenues.

The Friends of the High Line, a group dedicated to the preservation and re-use of the line, is currently working with the city on the proposed project and, if the plans are approved, will be responsible for the park's design, construction and ongoing maintenance with the cooperation of the City Parks Department, explained Friends co-founder, Robert Hammond.

Friends will be holding an open community input session on October 28 when participants can put forward design ideas. After that, Friends will finalize its design plan within the next 12 months.

The Department of Planning's proposed zoning laws may include incentives for landlords who, if operating a building on either side of the High Line, agree to sell their air rights. That would prevent owners from developing buildings much taller than the height of the High Line itself at the point closest to the rail line, although other platforms of the same buildings could be taller. Exactly how tall the buildings could be would depend on the street they're on, and whether buildings there cater to mostly residential, retail or industrial needs. The Department is already in discussions with the Housing Preservation Department and various community boards about the proposal and has determined that the area surrounding the High Line has one million SF of possibly transferable air space.

"We want to make sure the land uses are compatible with the proposed park," said Department director, Vishaan Chakrabarti. "Many of the auto lots here impede walking space and are not right for the character of the neighborhood. We want to enhance the gallery district and provide a dynamic mix of uses--residential and commercial with strong pedestrian connections to the water."

The issue of open space is also important, because it will allow residential use of the primarily manufacturing area of 10th Avenue and provide space for more residential buildings in other sections of West Chelsea, 25% of which will be affordable housing.

The problem, said Chakrabarti, is that timing is critical. So far, the department has still not obtained a certificate of trail use, which will allows it to turn the abandoned rail way into a park. Until the project actually gets the green light, potential developers are unlikely to commit. A public hearing on the draft scope of the project's Environmental Impact Statement is to be held on Oct. 2.

There has been some opposition from local landlords. "They rightfully claim that they can't develop on their own land," said Chakrabarti.

The residents too, have been vocal about what the project would mean for their quality of life. However, the main issue the Chelsea residents and Community Board 4 (CB4) has been pushing for is affordable housing.

Lee Compton, co-chair of CB4's Preservation and Planning Committee said the board supports the High Line plans, but added, "Chelsea has been a low-rise area, mostly, and we understand the need for new housing. We've agreed to heights bigger than we're comfortable with in exchange for affordable housing, but we need more for middle-income residents. People in our community make too much to be in 80/ 20 housing, but can't afford market rents."