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View of the construction site of "Little Island"
Photo: Michael Lee / Getty Images
New York has been particularly hard hit by the corona pandemic.
Governor Andrew Cuomo has already announced a "New York Arts Revival" offensive to revitalize the ailing culture and leisure industry in the metropolis.
The city could already have one attraction richer in spring.
New York is building a new park in the Hudson River.
Or rather: over the Hudson River.
The facility called "Little Island" is slightly larger than a soccer field and is due to open in the course of spring.
Icon: enlarge Photo: Richard B. Levine / imago images
The artificial island in front of the west side of Manhattan stands on huge concrete steles of different heights.
Their shape is reminiscent of tulips, of flowers floating on the water.
Due to the different heights, the park creates a garden landscape with an artificial gradient, with dozens of trees, shrubs and lawns.
Open-air concerts and other events are to take place here in the future.
An amphitheater with a capacity of 750 people will be built for the planned cultural events and programs.
And: Because of its exposed location in front of the Manhattan shore, "Little Island" will soon also offer a good - and rare - view of parts of New York's famous skyline.
Cost: around $ 250 million
The project is being financed by media billionaire Barry Diller, who used to be active in Rupert Murdoch's Fox Broadcasting Company.
The new park is not only popular with residents.
Critics fear the construction could harm aquatic life.
Others are opposed to the fact that the project is being carried out without the involvement of citizens and residents.
Several lawsuits have been filed against the project.
The construction site in the Hudson River poses a number of challenges for the engineers: the park and the concrete steles anchored in the river bed not only have to withstand storms and floods, but also ice floes that can drift over the Hudson River in winter.
According to media reports, the construction costs of the project will therefore significantly exceed the initially estimated $ 35 million.
The New York Times reported in 2018 that construction costs could amount to 250 million dollars.
Icon: The mirror
beb / dpa
