RF | Binder

The High Line was built in the 1930s as part of the West Side Improvement Project, one of New York City’s largest investments in transportation infrastructure. In 1980, the railroad ceased running trains on the rail line. Friends of the High Line, a non-profit organization, was founded in 1999 by neighborhood residents Joshua David and Robert Hammond to preserve the High Line for re-use as an elevated public open space. It needed to become a highly visible project not only in the Meat Packing District, which is where the High Line was located and is one of "the" emerging downtown arts and fashion scenes, but also within New York City's political, business and cultural leadership community. Influencer support would determine if this project would become a reality. In December 2002, the City of New York took the initial step in converting the High Line to a public space through the federal rails-to-trails legislation. Support for the project has come from different sectors of society, ranging from state senators and business-owners to civic organizations, celebrities and local residents. In the fall of 2005 the City of New York took final possession of the High Line from CSX Corporation making it possible to begin construction and the fulfillment of the High Line dream in 2006.