Mike Giannoutsos

Dr. Hey
Dr. Russo
Cor 390
DUE: July 24, 2014














The High Line


















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The New York City Highline is one of the most amazing places to go visit in
New York. It is located in the lower west side of Manhattan in the meatpacking
district. Many people might wonder what the highline is and how it was created.
The highline is an elevated garden/park. The history of the highline is very
important in and the impact it had on the meatpacking district.
While walking through lower Manhattan, Mike made it clear that the areas
we were going through were filled with prostitution. The highline is A one of a
kind experience, built on a long abandoned railway in the Chelsea neighborhood of
Manhattan. Its a delightful combination of wild, natural, foliage, original and
restored rails, breath taking views, benches, and areas to relax and lose yourself in
the beauty and achievement that is the High Line. (NYCEDC). The garden was built
around the tracks that used to transport goods many years prior to the Civil War.
Now it is one of the most attractive tourist spots in NYC because of the amazing
views.

The history behind how the highline tracks became elevated was very
interesting! The tracks used to be laid down throughout different avenues in the
Chelsea area. These avenues, mostly 10
th
avenue, became known as Death Avenue
because of all the accidents that occurred because of the tracks. The highline was
very efficient and very productive. It was used for forty-six years until agriculture

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took over. Many business owners saw the highline as a plus for their business,
although it was never used again after 1980. Not knowing much about the highline, I
can only imagine how it used to be in the past. Many things have changed to this
day. The beautiful high line consists of a long beautiful garden along the walkway.
There are benches and several lying chairs, which move along the tracks. I found
that really amazing how they built lying chairs along the tracks that can move!!! The
first section of the high line was opened in 2009. It ran from Gansevoort to 20
th

street. The second section of the high line was opened in 2011. It covered from 20
th

street up to 30
th
street. Seeing the high line in pictures and hearing about it seems
like its modern, but going to visit it in person, I kind of got the feeling of how it used
to be back in the day which made my visit there unforgettable.
The High Lines purpose was for transportations and commercial efficiency.
It still serves a purpose in todays society even though trains do not pass through
the tracks. It has gained population over the years and is making lower Manhattan
and Chelsea into a more diverse community. It was really Friends of the High Line
that got the ball going on this and started to create the drama and enthusiasm for
this public park, recalls Pete Shudtz, vice president of federal regulation and
general counsel for CSX. (MNN). The high line is what bought together the
community. The high line was elevated above all the congested streets on the West
Side of Manhattan.
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The high line was built in 2009 by Friends of the High Line (founded
by Joshua David and Robert Hammond) along with the help of Mayor Bloomberg
and other government and community involvement. There is continued, ongoing
construction, horticulture work and improvements. The design welcomes visitors
with its wild, self-seeded landscape, over 210 species that grew up naturally on the
High Line when the trains stopped running in 1980. It retains the original railroad
tracks from the industrial structure and restored steel elements including its
signature art deco railings. (NYCEDC). Walking along the high line, we see breath
taking views of buildings such as the IAC Building and the Standard High Line Hotel.
These buildings were built to intentionally fit into the gritty Meatpacking
neighborhood that is it home and its style harkens back to the now much maligned
International Style of the 1960s. Since the windows of the Standard face the High
Line, the hotel has also been know as a forum for exhibitionism, providing bemused
audiences for coupes seeking to share their amorous escapades.(ENY)
Many people take the outside world for granted and are missing out on these
beautiful views from the NYC High Line. There are many things to do and see while
visiting the Chelsea area. One thing Mike disliked and will never go back is the
Chelsea Markets. The High Line is still being worked on and being extended due to
all the tourists attraction. They Chelsea area is now booming and raising in
population. Many contractors are paying top dollar to build outstanding buildings
around the NYC High Line. One thing you must do in life before you are old is to go
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and see the NYC High Line for yourself in person. Trust me, this is something you do
not want to miss!





















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References:
"The High Line."NYCEDC. N.p., 19 May 2014. Web. 20 July 2014.

"HR&A Advisors (212) 977-5597 NYC / (310) 581 0900 LA / (202)
903-0725 DC." The High Line. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 July 2014.


"The High Line. NYC Parks. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 July 2014.

Essential New York (Russo S. Michael & Cullinan Meritta)