Pier 40 Sports & Recreation Complex (New York City, New York)

 sports venue, pier

Built by filling in several piers in 1963, Pier 40 was one of the last attempts by the City of New York to reinvest and retain some of the commercial cargo shipping industry on it's shores, which by the 1960's had all but abandoned Manahttan in favor of Brooklyn & New Jersey. Constructed with the most up-to-date technology in breakbulk cargo apparatus and conveniently located across the street from the terminus of the High Line Railroad at the St. John's Freight Terminal, Pier 40 was used by the Holland America Line for several years before they ceased their freight operations in 1973, leaving Pier 40 unused. It was designed in 1962 by George E. Minton with Roberts & Schaefer Co. as consulting engineers for the New York City Department of Marine & Aviation. The lobby contains a large ceramic mural by Dutch artist Frank Nix.

With a footprint of over 14 acres, Pier 40 is one of the largest piers in New York City, something which may have stayed it's demolition while many of the other piers on Manhattan's West Side were razed. Following years of inactivity aside from providing storage for unused vessels and as a NYCDOT parking garage, Pier 40, now called Pier 40 at Hudson River Park, is now home to approximately 2,200 long-term public parking spaces and the current Hudson River Park Trust offices. Around the entire perimeter of Pier 40 is a public esplanade and the pier spaces are utilized by excursion boats and a kayak rental company. The pier also has both indoor and outdoor athletic fields for use by soccer, football, the New York Knights American National Rugby League organization, lacrosse and baseball/softball players.

www.pier40.org
www.villagepreservation.org/2023/11/14/pier-40s-murals-...
www.wirednewyork.com/piers/pier40/