CB12, ENYA Come Together Over Common Goals for High Bridge

Last week, the AIANY Emerging New York Architects Committee (ENYA) presented its HB:BX, Building Cultural Infrastructure competition to the Parks & Cultural Affairs Committee of Community Board 12, walking members through the competition background, the winning boards, and some common trends that were repeated throughout the entries. CB12 members responded positively to the environmental and ecologically-driven entries, and focused particularly on those that incorporated water access. It was great to see that the competition resonated with the community board (their only criticism was that we hadn’t contacted them earlier in our process), and hopefully some of the ideas will infiltrate future plans to open the High Bridge.

It was apparent that the goals for the High Bridge and surrounding Highbridge Parks were universal to both CB12 and ENYA: the bridge should be open to the public, celebrate views of the city, and create access that is both welcoming and hospitable from both sides of the bridge. Currently, the NYC Department of Design + Construction is developing plans for the bridge and parks that include infrastructure upgrades, structural stabilization, educational signage, and transportation and bike/pedestrian access. As relayed to ENYA, at a recent CB12 meeting, however, the main point of contention was a proposal for fencing that will extend along the balustrade on either side of the bridge.

It appears that there are six options on the table (see p.16 of the schematic design presentation), and many CB12 members feel that none of the proposals are suitable to the above goals. They stated that the mesh will prohibit views, and it will create a foreboding barricade along the edge of the walkway. It seems as if there is a double standard to install tall chainmail for a walkway that spans between Harlem and the Bronx. One CB12 member mentioned the Walkway over the Hudson, the Poughkeepsie Footbridge, which has high fencing above the residential areas and train tracks, but then opens up over the Hudson River. Another member brought up the low walls of the High Line. I thought of the Top of the Rock with its tall glass walls that are spaced to allow cameras to poke through for photographs. All three of these solutions are simple and provide both protection and access to the open air and views not offered by mesh fences.

I am very excited that the High Bridge will open again in the near future (estimated for the fall of 2013). This is a key moment for the connection between Manhattan and the Bronx, and opening up a walkway between the two is symbolic as well as practical. Hopefully, the city will ultimately provide a design solution that is accessible and sought-out by locals and tourists alike.

Note: Special thanks to Elizabeth Lorris Ritter, chair of the CB12 Parks & Cultural Affairs Committee, who attended the ENYA “High Bridge” exhibition opening at the Center for Architecture and invited the committee to present to CB12.