The 3rd Annual Design Trust Council Event, "Public Space/Private Money" took place on Thursday, March 12, 2009. The evening began at
The Standard Hotel, and was then followed by dinner and discussion at
520 West 19th Street.
"Public Space/Private Money" addressed the question "What do current development trends mean for the soul of our city?" with a particular focus on the High Line Park, whose creation was driven in significant part by investors anticipating private benefit from the development of this public amenity.
The event convened at the nearly complete Standard Hotel, which enjoys a terrific view of the first stage of the High Line Park's construction. The park's lead designer, Lisa Switkin of
Field Operations, and the Standard's architect, Todd Schliemann of
Polshek Partnership, joined us there. We considered the role their projects play in defining community, and the design strategies they employed to help insure that this important public space retains a public identity.
