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Pier 40 at Hudson River Park, more commonly known as Pier 40, is a parking garage, sports facility, and former marine terminal located at the west end of Houston Street in Manhattan, New York City, within Hudson River Park. It is home to the New York Knights of the American National Rugby League (ANRL), though it is primarily used by youth and high school athletics. The pier is the largest structure in Hudson River Park at over 14 acres in size,〔 and is the home to the Hudson River Park Trust's offices. Various park tenants host activities as well. Sports include baseball, football, soccer, kayaking, rowing, trapeze arts, and rugby among others. ==History== Pier 40 was originally operated as a passenger and cargo terminal. It was proposed in 1957 by the city's Marine and Aviation department to allow the Holland America Line to move its area operations from Hoboken, New Jersey on the other side of the Hudson River, where the company was based for 73 years. It was the first terminal of its kind to be built by the city, and was designed as a "massive hollow square" with three levels to accommodate cars, taxis, and commercial trucks. The massive four block structure replaced five smaller "finger" piers (Piers 37-41) used by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Construction began in 1958 at the cost of over $18 million, and the Pier began operations in 1962, with Holland America signing a 20-year lease for over $1.2 million in annual rent. In its first year in operation, Pier 40 served over 2,000 passengers daily. The pier served passenger and cargo ships until 1983.〔〔 Following the ceasing of maritime operations, the Pier was purchased by the State of New York for the failed Westway project. Its primary use was as a parking complex for cars, buses and trucks, as well as commercial warehousing.〔 The car park (a self-parking facility) has a 1,700 car capacity (formerly accommodating approximately 2,000) and currently serves over 1,500 drivers. Bus, truck, and warehousing activity ended in 2003.〔〔 The facility was rededicated under the Hudson River Park act of 1998. Between 1998 and 2003, several plans abound for the redevelopment of the site. One was an entertainment complex featuring movie theaters and Cirque du Soleil performances. Another plan sought to construct a public high school along with swimming pools and retail space, in addition to conventional sports fields. Additional plans called for a branch of the Guggenheim Museum and a big-box store. Ultimately, a plan backed by the community won out, and the pier currently serves the dual purpose of commercial parking garage (located in the outer perimeter of the pier) and a multi-purpose sports facility (encompassing the center of the facility and small sections of the upper level). The main field (occupying the former cargo level) began construction in 2004, and opened in May 2005 with then-Governor George Pataki and professional soccer player Eddie Johnson in attendance.〔〔 According to the Hudson River Park Trust, the facility generates $6 million in operating revenue and 40% of the entire park's annual operating budget. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Pier 40 at Hudson River Park」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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