A project to build a floating park has made it into calmer waters. Pier 55, on the Hudson River shoreline in New York, New York, USA, will feature gardens, lawns and an amphitheater. But the US$200 million project faced waves of controversy from the start. Critics said the privately financed park, which will hold up to 6,000 people, would be disruptive to both the environment and the surrounding neighborhood.
When the community voiced concerns, the project team responded by revamping plans—lowering the elevation of the park and adding fencing along its perimeter for safety. The team also conducted a thorough state environmental impact assessment. In September, one of several lawsuits was dismissed, and construction resumed. The park is scheduled to open in 2019.
