VOLUME 6, NUMBER 11 FEBRUARY 26, 2014
THE WEST SIDE’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SERVING CHELSEA, HUDSON YARDS & HELL'S KITCHEN
PROGRESS REPORT 2014
Hudson Yards | Manhattan West Women’s Equality Act | High Line
Hudson Yards Platform Soon to be Underway, Sparking Eastern Rail Yard BY SAM SPOKONY Nearly four months after gleefully treating its workers — as well as numerous grateful reporters — to a five-foottall cake in celebration of the one-year anniversary of construction, Related Companies remains vocally optimistic about the current pace of work on its Hudson Yards development. The 26-acre megaproject’s first building, 10 Hudson Yards — what will be a 52-story, 895foot office tower at the corner of West 30th Street and 10th Avenue — is still moving on time and on budget, according to Michael Samuelian, a Related vice president who serves as one of the project
managers directly overseeing Hudson Yards construction. (Related is jointly developing the project alongside Oxford Properties). “I think we’ll see work on the tower go much more quickly now, since the beginning of construction is generally a slower process,” said Samuelian in a recent interview at the company’s headquarters in Columbus Circle. He added that, at this rate, 10 Hudson Yards is still firmly planned to be completed by the end of 2015. Along with office tenants including Coach, L’Oreal USA and software giant SAP, the building’s base,
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Improving Conditions, Through Combined Block Power BY BILL BOROCK (President, CCBA) The Council of Chelsea Block Associations (CCBA) was established in January of 1961 by residents of West 20th to West 22nd Streets, from Eighth to 10th Avenues. The boundaries of Chelsea have expanded with the passage of time — and with it, our membership has grown to reflect the wider characterization of our neighborhood. In last year’s Progress Report, the Council of Chelsea Block Associations (CCBA) identified some community problems, then suggested possible solutions. For the 2014 edition, we happily
accepted a return invitation. We’ll use this opportunity to update readers on the status of a few issues we discussed last year, and let you know about some new ones that have cropped up in the ensuing twelve months. I trust that what is shared in this article will give you a good taste of what we’re about, and the methods we’ve used to work with elected offi cials, community boards, the NYPD, NYC government and local business owners. The CCBA recognizes that change requires work — but if the community will benefit, then the work is worth it.
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Courtesy of Brookfield Office Properties
East of Hudson Yards, Manhattan West Also to Alter Skyline A skyline view of 450 W. 33rd St. — an “important lynchpin” of the Manhattan West Development, which is targeted for completion by 2020. See page 13.
Women’s Equality Act Faces an Election Year Senate BY WINNIE McCROY The 2014 legislative session got off to a good start on January 27, when it passed the Women’s Equality Act (WEA) — to ensure that New York’s 10 million women achieve full equality, including the right to make their own decisions about their reproductive health and access to abortions. But the
legislation now faces a Republicancontrolled Senate, where those beholden to right-wing and Tea Party constituents do not want to see it pass. Supporters recognize that this may be an uphill battle. “Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem that much has changed,” said New York State Senator Brad Hoylman. “The Assembly passed the bill
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last session and did so again last month. I remain hopeful that the Senate will move all ten points to the floor, but I’m afraid that Republicans may again cave to the extreme right-wing and prevent the women’s choice provision from coming to the floor.“
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