Tell Governor Cuomo: The Public Deserves a Voice on Proposed Changes to Hudson River Park in Manhattan
August 13, 2013
Riverkeeper Team
Photo via CC Flickr: Shinya
A bill amending key sections of the Hudson River Park Act is being sent to Governor Cuomo for signature after being rushed through the Assembly and Senate on a last minute vote, as the 2013 legislative session ended, with no opportunity for input from the public.
The bill proposes changes such as granting Hudson River Park the ability to sell air rights for development in adjoining areas of Manhattan’s West Side, the potential construction of an over-water heliport, and new commercial/office uses.
No hearing was held on the bill, either in Albany or Manhattan, despite its major potential impact to surrounding communities and the region as a whole. Andrew Berman, executive director of Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation, told The New York Times: “We, as well as other groups in the affected communities, were taken completely by surprise. Most of us hadn’t heard about it until the day before the vote.”
Hudson River Park is a key 550-acre stretch of waterside park and estuarine sanctuary extending through neighborhoods from Midtown to Lower Manhattan. Tell Governor Cuomo to send the Hudson River Park Bill back to the legislature and give the public the opportunity to participate in the debate about their park’s future.
TAKE ACTION TODAY!
Call Cuomo: (866) 584-6799
