The
large trolley terminal that is the site has sat unused for more than 60 years. The project was first publicly proposed in 2011 and quickly generated widespread media attention. In 2012, the project raised over $150,000 from 3,300 backers on
Kickstarter to create a full-scale exhibition of the solar lighting technology. The project was named by
Mashable as one of the top Kickstarter projects of that year. In September 2012 an installation was opened on the Lower East Side to promote the project; titled "Imagining the Lowline," it consisted of a 30-foot (9m) wide aluminum solar canopy distributing natural sunlight onto a live cultivated landscape "park." The exhibit saw over 11,000 visitors and featured design talks, school visits, weekend street fairs and a political event. The executive producer of the exhibit was Robyn Shapiro and the
industrial designer was Ed Jacobs with support from Brandt Graves. Initial patent work in the associated technologies by David D. Winters, Winters Patent Law of Tennessee.
Support The project was endorsed by politicians and organizations such as U.S. Senator
Kirsten Gillibrand, former NY State Assembly Speaker
Sheldon Silver,
Manhattan Community Board 3, and the Lower East Side
business improvement district. Barasch and Ramsey worked with HR&A Advisors and Arup to complete a feasibility study outlining the cost to build the park, long-term business model and community benefits. The findings were released to various news outlets such as the
Wall Street Journal. and
New York magazine. The property will be purchased by the city from the MTA and the design coordinated with the neighboring
Essex Crossing development (part of the Seward Park Urban Renewal Area). Construction will depend on private fundraising by the project, public subsidies, and
Uniform Land Use Review Procedure approvals for specific components. As of 2019, the park was under construction and was expected to open in 2021. ==References==