Park money
To The Editor:
Re “In search of a fund for the Trust” (news article, April 30- May 6):
Without question, it’s good news that the Hudson River Park Trust, supported by Friends of Hudson River Park and other park advocates, is making a full-court press to secure the needed $200 million so that Tribeca, Chelsea and other parts of the West Side can enjoy the same fantastic new park that West Villagers now enjoy. More distressing, however, is the difficulty we have had in obtaining solid commitments from our elected officials. With the park’s initial funding set to run out next year, only the City Council and Speaker Gifford Miller have so far come forward with a tangible funding proposal that would help get this park built, and even that depends on the outcome of budget negotiations now underway at City Hall.
Several recent proposals for redeveloping other parcels of land on the
West Side have envisioned a finished Hudson River Park as part of the presentation. But no one has come forward with a concrete plan that would dedicate the $200 million needed to finish the park.
All of us on the West Side need to continue our efforts to hold our elected officials to fulfilling the commitment to reclaiming the Hudson River waterfront for the people of New York. Garbage truck depots and crumbling bulkheads are not appropriate recreational facilities for a great city in the 21st century.
Albert K. Butzel
President, Friends of Hudson River Park
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