Christopher Street Pier

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1 Location
2 References

[edit] Location

The Christopher Street Pier is a group of piers in Manhattan, New York. The area consists of four piers from Pier 42,45,46,and 51. The piers are going under renovation as of 2008 following by a huge park which is under construction. The areas of pier 45 and 46 and everything in beteween is under renovation. Pier 51 is being renovated so far a water park, a children's park, and a ship is in the location. Pier 42 is going under major renovation for a future skating rink, and a new park. Next to pier 42 is also the Hudson Place Plaza a complex of 7 buildings that are being proposed. The 7 Line Extension is also expected to run below the area. The Piers also had a history of leaving the ports to rot during the 1970s and the 1980s. It was also an area for gays to hang out during the 1980s.

[edit] FIERCE!

Otherwise knowns as Fabulous Independent Educated Radicals for Community Empowerment, FIERCE has been helping young gay teens fight for later curfews at Christopher Street Pier. A film produced in 2001 showcased the group's campaign to save the pier. They are in the unique position of defending the LGBT community and the sector that is a "people-of-color" issue. Due to their stance its been difficult for them to raise money.

[edit] Current Pier Issues

For residents who live on Christopher Street, the problem with the 1 a.m. curfew, are the teenagers exiting the park. They leave noisily causing a huge disturbance. Ever since renovations and opening of the Hudson River Park's new Greenwich Village segment in 2003, its become a hotspot for gay youth from NYC and New Jersey. Community residents have created a new plan in 2005 to have the Park Enforcement Patrol escort the teens to the 14th and Hudson Street exits. According to an article in The Villager "The park users would be blocked by metal barriers and PEP officers from leaving at other exit points in between Christopher Street and the two designated exits."

[edit] LGBT Community Reacts

Members of FIERCE and of the LGBT community responded angrily to the restrictions attempting to be placed on the Christopher Street exit. They are asking for the curfew to be moved to 4 a.m. They reasoned that their will be less of a crowd leaving the park at that time. They feel as if this attack is not just on the LGBT community but also on minorities. Mostly teenagers who come from other boroughs like the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens come to the pier to escape their neighborhoods where they are not accepted. While being constantly reassured that the barrier of the pier would still be an issue even if it were Columbia students. The fight has not stopped and if anyone wishes to help can go to the FIERCE website.

[edit] Neighborhood Wants Quiet

At one in the morning gay youth are exiting the park and make a lot of noise. Ever since park renovations have made it a hotspot for more than gay youth, it is the LGBT teens who are making the most trouble. They trash the Christopher Street neighborhood, and engage in homosexual prostitution. Neighbors have found that the neighborhood has become an unsafe, and unsanitary for people to live in. They are asking for a barrier to be put on the Christopher Street exit to avoid any problems. However, they are being charged with being against gays and against "people of color." Most of the supporters of the barrier come from the neighborhood who try to deal the ruckus caused by gay youth.