New Greenwich Village Park Will Help Bring Back NYC Art Scene

LOWER MANHATTAN, NY — Gov. Andrew Cuomo has a plan to bring back the arts in New York City that will culminate with the opening of "Little Island" on Pier 55 in Lower Manhattan.

During the governor's recent State of the State address, Cuomo emphasized the importance of helping the arts scene recover from the coronavirus pandemic and how the state would begin taking short-term steps to help bring back events in the city.

The statewide program will feature over 150 performers in indoor and outdoor venues throughout New York, which will include the star power of Hugh Jackman, Chris Rock, Amy Schumer, Wynton Marsalis, and Renee Fleming.

Cuomo is calling the program, "New York Arts Revival."

The governor said the program will culminate with two events, the 20th anniversary in June of the Tribeca Film Festival, and the grand opening of Lower Manhattan's Little Island.

Little Island, located on Pier 55 in the Hudson River, just on the border of Chelsea and the Greenwich Village, is a new 2.7-acre public park built by Barry Diller.

The park is expected to serve as a venue for different types of arts performances moving forward.

Cuomo didn't give a specific date for when the park will open, but its website says the spring of 2021.

Diller, who serves as the chairman of InterActiveCop and the Expedia Group, also founded the Fox Broadcasting Company and USA Broadcasting.

The successful businessman partnered with the Hudson River Park Trust in 2013 to help recreate the Pier 54 and 55 space damaged by Hurricane Sandy.

"What was in my mind was to build something for the people of New York and for anyone who visits — a space that on first sight was dazzling, and upon use made people happy," Diller writes on the park's website.

You can find out more about the soon to open Little Island on its website.