BY DIANA TAYLOR | It’s time to stop pretending Tom Fox is informed about Hudson River Park — or cares about the well-being of those in the community who love it. His recent comments in The Villager are a case in point (“Pier 57 project kept changing, without new bids,” talking point, Feb. 25).
Too bad Fox didn’t take advantage of Hudson River Park Trust, Youngwoo & Associates and RXR Realty representatives in attendance at four recent Community Board 4 meetings — not to mention the widely publicized Pier 57 public hearing on Jan. 20 — to learn more about the project and ask his questions.
Had he done so, or bothered to read the draft lease and other documents available on the Trust Web site, he would’ve realized that the Pier 57 marina and its location were assessed in the completed environmental impact statement, and that the marina is an option available to the developers under the proposed lease. Fox would know that regulatory approvals have already been granted for other in-water construction, excluding the marina. He would know that the cumulative effects of construction of Pier 54 and Pier 57 were indeed assessed, and that additional environmental analysis, including with respect to the delayed construction period, was properly conducted and also made publicly available.
And he would know that C.B. 4 has complimented the Trust on keeping it fully informed about the project as it has progressed over the years, including with respect to the addition of RXR as a development partner, the introduction of office use for a portion of the building, and the rationale for doing so.
Fox provides his park credentials from years ago, no doubt to bolster the illusion that he is an expert on such complex topics as state procurement rules. Sadly, he’s as uninformed about that process as he is about the rest of the Pier 57 project. Anyone with experience directing large-scale public projects understands the complexity involved in moving them from preliminary designation to completion. The Trust is confident that it proceeded in a manner consistent with state law and Trust policies.
It’s unfortunate that Fox is seeking to damage a project that enjoys strong public support, and one which many people, including community leaders and elected officials, have worked doggedly to advance since 2008.
Let’s drop the pretense that Tom Fox is a Hudson River Park advocate, when his actual goal is halting widely supported critical park initiatives — and promoting his own reputation.
Taylor is chairperson, Hudson River Park Trust
