Opponents rally against Related’s Pier 40 plan

About 700 people rallied against the Related Companies’ plan to build a $625 million performing-arts center Greenwich Villag’s Pier 40 on the Hudson River. Related wants to build a permanent home for Cirque du Soleil and the Tribeca Film Festival. Opponents want to keep the area a park. They say their Park at Pier 40 plan would cost about $280 million to repair the dock and open schools, small shops and artists’ facilities. New School president Bob Kerrey said the college would pay up to $120 million for Pier 40 facilities. Village residents have spent about $120,000 developing the plan. The Hudson River Park Trust is slated to meet Thursday to discuss bids.