The High Line

To avoid demolition of a historic freight rail line, Friends of the High Line converted the line into an elevated park. The park’s design was the first of its kind in New York and KM Associates could not employ a traditional application of the building code when filing for permits.

Because the project’s classification as an elevated public park did not follow traditional building code requirements, KM Associates needed to find creative solutions. Instead of forcing the project to conform to building codes, KM worked with the Commissioner of Buildings to gain approval for determinations where the design presented a unique case with respect to the standard code requirements.

KM prepared and obtained approval for determinations (special requests), acquired Temporary Places of Assembly permits for events, and received Certificates of Occupancy. The expediters maintained permits throughout construction on the project. KM Associates also worked with the design team to increase the number of occupants permitted at any given time.