New York’s High Line goes from train tracks to elevated city park | CNN

New York’s High Line goes from train tracks to elevated city park

Dominique Debucquoy-Dodley, CNN
2 minute read
Published 4:40 PM EDT, Fri September 28, 2012
The High Line is an elevated park in Manhattan, which opened in 2009 on what were once raised train tracks.
High Line breaks new ground —
The High Line is an elevated park in Manhattan, which opened in 2009 on what were once raised train tracks.
Dominique Dodley/CNN
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg meets with <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehighline.org%2Fabout%2Ffriends-of-the-high-line" target="_blank" target="_blank">Friends of the High Line</a> in September for a groundbreaking to develop the latest portion of the High Line.
High Line breaks new ground —
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg meets with Friends of the High Line in September for a groundbreaking to develop the latest portion of the High Line.
Dominique Dodley/CNN
Construction will add sections from West 30th to 34th streets between 10th and 12th avenues.
High Line breaks new ground —
Construction will add sections from West 30th to 34th streets between 10th and 12th avenues.
Dominique Dodley/CNN
The High Line's last phase of construction is estimated at $90 million, raised from both public and private funds.
High Line breaks new ground —
The High Line's last phase of construction is estimated at $90 million, raised from both public and private funds.
Dominique Dodley/CNN
This phase of construction is projected to open in 2014.
High Line breaks new ground —
This phase of construction is projected to open in 2014.
Dominique Dodley/CNN
The High Line's freight history dates back to 1934, according to its website.
High Line breaks new ground —
The High Line's freight history dates back to 1934, according to its website.
Dominique Dodley/CNN
The tracks were elevated for trains to avoid accidents on Manhattan's congested streets.
High Line breaks new ground —
The tracks were elevated for trains to avoid accidents on Manhattan's congested streets.
Dominique Dodley/CNN
Since its opening four years ago, the High Line reportedly has attracted more than 10 million visitors.
High Line breaks new ground —
Since its opening four years ago, the High Line reportedly has attracted more than 10 million visitors.
Dominique Dodley/CNN
The park has become "a local treasure and an international icon," the mayor said.
High Line breaks new ground —
The park has become "a local treasure and an international icon," the mayor said.
Dominique Dodley/CNN
Bloomberg said the latest development will turn the High Line "into a one-of-a-kind public park."
High Line breaks new ground —
Bloomberg said the latest development will turn the High Line "into a one-of-a-kind public park."
Dominique Dodley/CNN
The High Line is supported by Friends of the High Line, founded in 1999, which is dedicated to its development and preservation.
High Line breaks new ground —
The High Line is supported by Friends of the High Line, founded in 1999, which is dedicated to its development and preservation.
Dominique Dodley/CNN
The High Line offers unique views of the city for tourists and residents alike.
High Line breaks new ground —
The High Line offers unique views of the city for tourists and residents alike.
Dominique Dodley/CNN
New York's park in the sky

Story highlights

The park will extend up to 34th Street into the heart of Midtown Manhattan

New York's mayor calls the park a local treasure and an international icon

The next phase of park construction could cost $90 million

CNN  — 

What was once an above-ground freight train line has become a major tourist attraction in Manhattan’s popular Meatpacking District.

Open to the public since 2009, the High Line elevated park isn’t quite complete.

A groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction on the third and final section of the park was held last week, hosted by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Friends of the High Line co-founders Joshua David and Robert Hammond.

“The park has become a local treasure and an international icon, as well as an important generator of economic growth for our city,” said Bloomberg.

The heart of Midtown Manhattan

The new section of the High Line will be built in three phrases. The first phase, expected to be completed in 2014, will cost an estimated $90 million, financed by a combination of public funds and private donations.

It will extend from 30th Street to 34th Street to the west of 11th Avenue and will feature an interim walkway passing over Midtown’s Western Rail Yards.

The second phase will be built to the east of 10th Avenue, as well as an area where the High Line will pass through Coach’s new headquarters building at 30th and 10th avenues. Finally, the third phase will upgrade the interim walkway and the western section of the first phase.

Part of the West Side Improvement Project, the High Line opened in 1934 and allowed train traffic to run on tracks elevated 30 feet to put a halt to the years of accidents that had occurred at street level.

“An extraordinary” accomplishment

Friends of the High Line, which advocates for preservation of the historic structures, was founded in 1999 by David and Hammond in response to a group of property owners who called for its demolition, according to the High Line website.

“In the decades to come, long after the final section is open to the public, the High Line will serve as a profound reminder of the extraordinary things we can achieve when the public and private sectors work together for the common good,” said Bloomberg.