Samantha DuPont
Sep 8, 2018 · 1 min read

New York transplant here. I had a similar groan in my stomach when thinking about people comparing the Salesforce Park to the High Line (before anyone even did it!) and I have an insane level of disdain for the Salesforce building itself (I nickname it the Death Star), but I do want to point out that you are romanticizing the positive “integration” of the High Line into an NYC neighborhood. I had an uneasy feeling walking through when it first opened — it was gorgeous, no doubt, and a rare urban oasis, but as soon as I passed by the residential buildings that were practically within grabbing distance, I starting thinking about how disruptive the park would actually be to the residents and neighborhood. Before it was even built, there were complaints about the planners not effectively engaging the impacted residents on design (most of whom were low-income residents of color), now the destination has become a tourist trap, bringing in more rapid gentrification. Not trying to be a negative Nancy, but I think it’s important to understand some of the downsides of these urban projects before casting stones.

    Samantha DuPont

    Written by