High Line

New York's High Line—a former elevated railroad track, now an elevated park on the West Side of Manhattan—has a checkered history that began over 80 years ago.
The High Line was authorized in 1929and, five years and $150 million later, stretched 13 miles through the city. It actually passed through buildings and factories, allowing for easy loading and unloading without disturbing the streetsbelow.
As truck shipping increased in popularity in the 1950s, however, trains on the High Line decreased in frequency.
This trend continued through the 1960s, when the southernmost portion of theline was demolished.
By the 1980s, traffic on the High Line had decreased to the point where it no longer made sense to keep it in operation.
After it was closed, the High Line fell under repeatedattack from developers who wanted to demolish the tracks to make room for new buildings. These efforts were fought by Peter Obletz, a Chelsea resident and railroad enthusiast, who wanted the tracksreturned to operation.
Though Obletz would never again see trains running on the High Line, his efforts did pave the way for a unique redevelopment project. In 1999, a non-profit called "Friends of theHigh Line" was formed with the goal of returning the High Line to the community as an elevated public space.
As support for the redevelopment grew, the movement gained some important advocatesincluding Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Finally, in 2004, the city allocated funds to begin the project, and proposals poured in.

Though it had long been a popular destination for locals and urban explorers,redevelopment would allow the High Line to become a unique space open to all.
The City of New York committed $50 million to the project.
The design also incorporates a trail that leads pedestrianspast views of the city and Hudson river.
Indeed, the High Line, which once served as a major transportation artery in the city, has been reborn as a focal point for the community and destination for...