The most recent proposal issued last week for the cash-strapped Pier 40 in the West Village is under fire from two politicians with the power to shoot down the plan, Crain’s reported. They are State Senators Daniel Squadron and Brad Hoylman, who both voiced their reservations about developing housing on park land.
“Over time those who live there have a different relationship with the park than everyone else does,” Sen. Squadron told Crain’s.
A community advocacy group called the Pier 40 Champions released a proposal aiming to transform a parking lot at the pier into 600 units of residences, with 10.5 acres of open space, to be used for athletic and recreational purposes.
Sen. Squadron indicated that other sources of funding could be used for the crumbling pier and its park, including using tax revenues from nearby development in the neighborhood, where the park has increased property values.
Developer Douglas Durst also floated a plan in January to use some pier space for commercial uses, which received disapproval from members of the park’s trust. [Crain’s] —Zachary Kussin