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The Transformation of the Hudson River Waterfront

Pier 49 at Bank Street, 1989

Tom Fox’s photos from the 1970s, 80s, and 90s reveal a time when the Lower West Side waterfront was in a state of neglect, and then, as detailed in his book, “Creating the Hudson River Park,” how it was transformed into the public park we know today.

In the 1970s and 80s, Manhattan’s Hudson River waterfront was largely a decaying landscape. Following the defeat of the Westway project in 1985, efforts to reshape the waterfront were made by people like Tom Fox, with initiatives like the creation of the West Side Task Force in 1986, the West Side Waterfront Panel in 1990, and the Hudson River Park Conservancy in 1992.

Tom donated a number of the images he took before and during construction of the park to the Village Preservation Historic Image Archive. Click here to watch Village Preservation’s program with Tom about the book here.

Dog on a Jersey Barrier, at Pier 49 on Bank Street in Greenwich Village, 1987

Tom’s role in shaping the Hudson River Park is significant, including involvement in negotiating the 1998 Hudson River Park Act. The images in this collection offer a tangible connection to that history. By capturing the waterfront in its “before” state, the photos emphasize the extent of the transformation, highlighting the stark contrast to the lively park that now exists. These images offer an incredible visual record of the changes in the area and serve as a testament to the power of community activism and environmental advocacy.

This photo below of the water’s edge in Tribeca before the installation of the interim bicycle and pedestrian path in 1993 is a striking example of how much the waterfront has changed over the years. In the 1990s, the waterfront was still in a neglected state, with limited public access to the river. Before the interim path was installed, the area was disconnected from the waterfront, with little or no space for people to enjoy the views or safely access the river.

Water’s edge in Tribeca after interim bicycle and pedestrian path installation, 1994

Now, where municipal parking lots once took up acres, there is green space.

The same view today, looking north from Pier 34

The installation of the interim bike and pedestrian path in the 1990s was one of the first steps in transforming the area, signaling the beginning of a shift toward creating a more accessible, active space for the public. It’s interesting to imagine the stark contrast between the industrial, underutilized waterfront of the 1980s and the vibrant, park-filled waterfront we see today.

Community planning at the June 10th Hudson River Rally and Festival on Pier 45, 1989

Explore our entire new historic image archive collection, Tom Fox: The Hudson River Watefront Before the Park, here. Explore our entire historic image archive of more than 5,000 images here. Have images you want to donate CLICK HERE. Interested in purchasing a print of one of our images and supporting our work? CLICK HERE

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