New York’s “floating” park project put on hold

A US district court judge has postponed Pier 55 project, a park “floating” over the Hudson River in Central New York.

The project was born from the limitless imagination of landscape architect Signe Nielsen and Heatherwick Studio. The concept is the one of an “elevated island park” mounted on 300 pylons measuring 15 to 70 ft. On top of gardens, it should feature an amphitheater able to welcome 700 spectators.

A groundbreaking idea which will cost $130m, partially funded by Barry Diller and his wife, designer Diane Von Furstenberg, who made a donation of a hundred million dollars.

But the oasis might remain at a draft stage, as it counts a certain numbers of opponents. Richard Emery, the lawyer who represents them, declared in this respect: “In my view, the decision makes it virtually impossible for Pier 55 to proceed”.

The development phase, initially due to start in April 2016, had already been delayed for environmental reasons. The new design presented in January 2017 obviously did not convince.