Back in August, plans for the controversial Thomas Heatherwick-designed Garden Bridge, a pet project of former conservative London mayor Boris Johnson, was scrapped due to the Trust's inability to raise private funds in the absence of public funding. Now, another one of Heatherwick's proposed plans, Pier 55, is getting the boot as well. The project was the vision of American media company IAC chair, Barry Diller. Blueprints for the elevated island park in the Hudson River off Manhattan included a performance venue, an outdoor theater, and a gathering space. 

Mr. Diller cited the escalating costs of the project along with the continuing controversy surrounding it as the reasons for the drop. When first proposed, the park was to cost $35 million, but that number eventually increased to over $250 due to legal delays as well as the design's growing complexity. Supporters of the project included the local community board, Governor Cuomo, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Senator Chuck Schumer. On the opposing side were various activists fighting zoning changes made under Bloomberg; their concerns included secrecy surrounding the project and the environmental impact of the protected estuary the site was to go on.