The portion of the High Line from 20th through 30th Streets will open spring 2011. Upon completion, the High Line will stretch one mile. The second section of the park will feature a walkway that travels through magnolia trees and is elevated fifteen feet above the park.

The city will launch a new study of the Garment District, abandoning former plans to rezone the area. Potential causes for the reconsideration include decreased demand for office space and community opposition. The report is expected to be released sometime this summer.

The second phase of the popular High Line park is underway. The elevated rail line, which now stops at 20th Street, will continue through 30th Street. The second phase of the High Line will feature a lawn and a "glass and metal frame" floor. The original railroad tracks will also be featured more prominently. Proponents hope the second phase will be completed by spring 2011.

The construction of two tunnels, known as Access to the Region's Core, may displace businesses and landowners in Midtown Manhattan. The project will connect New York and New Jersey, dropping passengers off below Macy's in Herald Square. Engineering studies have shown that the project may not be able to move forward without knocking down some of the buildings.

Though the City has celebrated the recent opening of Hudson River Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and the High Line, paying for the upkeep of these parks has been a challenge. The parks were constructed with the idea that they would be supported by public-private partnerships. However, securing private funding has been more difficult than imagined and a long-term strategy is still needed.

The remodeled nine-acre portion of Piers 62-64 at Hudson River Park is expected to open on Monday May 17th. Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, designer of Brooklyn Bridge Park, landscaped this section of the park.

The City and State’s once grand plans for a Javits Convention Center expansion were scaled back dramatically two years ago, but Mayor Bloomberg continues to set aside money in the City’s capital budget for the project. A New York Observer article this week questions the Mayor’s reasoning behind setting aside $104 million for the project during such a tight budget year.

Construction at Madison Square Garden is set to begin next year, as twenty weeks are needed to renovate the arena. The renovation will cost between $775 million and $850 million, more than projected $500 million. The project is expected to be completed by 2013.

In a few weeks, Related Cos. will sign a $1 billion contract with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to develop commercial and residential uses for Hudson Yards. As a part of the agreement, Related will make a $20 million upfront payment with a $21.7 million payment to be paid over the course of the year. The remaining balance will be paid by the developer to MTA when the economy recovers.

The Long Island Rail Road site along the Hudson River will be redeveloped by the Related Companies, now that MTA has approved the $1 billion project. The Related Companies will pay $20 million upon closing the contract with MTA, and another $21.7m over the next year.