As the Meat Market continues to morph into an increasingly high-end dining, shopping and entertainment district, the pressure for developers to seek residential conversions of the area’s manufacturing zoning will only mount.
Only a few months ago, an application to build a 32-story residential tower with million-dollar condos at Washington St. was withdrawn in the face of united opposition from meat businesses, bars and nightclubs and Village residents.
The Landmarks Preservation Commission held a hearing four weeks ago on designating what would be called the Gansevoort Historic District, but has yet to schedule a vote.
While we know creating such a relatively large landmark district takes considerable time and research, there is urgency in this case. There is no guarantee that the next developer won’t succeed in getting a residential variance or even that the Washington St. project won’t be dusted off and quickly resubmitted, since it was allowed to be withdrawn “without prejudice.” Even the cobblestone streets should be landmarked, since these also contribute to the Market’s special flavor. Landmarks must hurry to protect New York City’s last remaining historic market area.
By the same token, the High Line, what’s left of which south of Chelsea now ends at Gansevoort St., should also be preserved for historic reasons and because its reuse potential offers many exciting possibilities, mainly along the lines of a park and pedestrian and bike trail. Whereas Mayor Giuliani wanted to raze the High Line, the Bloomberg administration now describes the High Line as a green spine linking the Meat Market and West Chelsea. These neighborhoods have changed vastly and a revamped High Line should be integral to that transformation.
Now that the Chelsea Property Owners have dropped their opposition, all that’s needed is for the federal Surface Transportation Board to issue a certificate of interim use under the Rails-to-Trails program. The High Line is a wondrous, unique structure that should be saved from the wrecking ball and can be of tremendous benefit to the city.
Put Diether back on zoning committee
Doris Diether’s removal as vice chairperson of Community Board 2’s zoning committee under new board chairperson Jim Smith is a shame. Diether, known for good reason as the board’s “zoning maven,” knows the city’s zoning code backwards and forwards. For years, she has steadfastly attended every important zoning meeting at City Hall or City Planning or the Department of Buildings whenever an important local issue was at stake. Frequently, she’s the only public member there. A volunteer who dedicates so much energy and time, really her life, to such an important local issue should be acknowledged and rewarded — not shunted aside as if she were irrelevant. Her removal represents an important loss of technical expertise and commitment for the communities of Lower Manhattan. Perhaps someone feels threatened by that expertise. It’s not clear. What is clear is that Diether should be reappointed to the zoning committee.
