Sustainability a Factor in Renovating the High Line

 

High Line
Image: highline.org

New York City-based Christopher “Chris” McNally is the owner of Falcon Project Quality Management, a company dedicated to advocating for building owners throughout the construction process. Aside from his work at Falcon, Chris McNally supports several not-for-profits including the High Line, one of the nation’s most unique greenspaces.

When the 1930s era High Line closed in 1980, it fell into disrepair. The once-active railroad, designed to transport goods within Manhattan’s largest industrial district, quickly became choked with plants and was slated to be demolished.

However, following the tireless efforts of Joshua David and Robert Hammond, the unsightly and abandoned railway was given another chance, this time as a one-of-a-kind elevated walkway. After three separate building phases, the High Line now provides pedestrians with a new and different way to experience the city.

The green spaces along the High Line are designed with sustainability in mind. Hardy, drought-resistant plants were selected based on the self-seeded plants that grew along the tracks in the 25 years the railroad was not in use. These plants, locally sourced whenever possible, are planted in the High Line’s green roof system, which retains as much water as possible. When additional watering is needed, an irrigation system and hand watering fill the need. Additional efforts toward sustainability include onsite composting and limited use of chemically based pesticide and fertilizer.

The High Line is the only park of its kind in the United States and has brought a great deal of economic growth to Manhattan’s West Side.

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The High Line – The Country’s First Elevated Railway Green Space

 

The High Line
Image: thehighline.org

An executive in the construction industry, Christopher “Chris” McNally provides construction, pre-closing evaluation, and project quality management services as the president of Falcon Enterprise Associates in New York. Chris McNally maintains an interest in urban spaces and contributes to the High Line, a green space built along an abandoned elevated railway in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood.

The High Line combines wild, natural foliage with original and restored rails to create a scenic environment where members of the public can relax and enjoy breathtaking views. Elevated 30 feet above Manhattan’s West Side, the railway stands as the first public space of its kind in the country and consists of numerous creative features that include children’s exploration areas, public gathering areas, and custom wood furniture. Additionally, the High Line is separated into multiple sections: three completed sections and a small portion still under design.

Originally constructed in the 1930s, the High Line’s railway was left unattended for years after its abandonment and became overrun with rugged trees, wild grasses, and indigenous plants. The state slated the railway for demolition during the Giuliani administration, and in 1999, two area residents established the Friends of the High Line community group to transform the High Line into an elevated park-greenway. The Bloomberg administration backed the project in 2002, and construction to convert the area into a public park began in 2006.

Sonic Sea – An Award-Winning Documentary from the NRDC

Sonic Sea
Image: imdb.com

Since 2005, Christopher “Chris” McNally has served as president of Falcon Enterprises Associates (DBA Falcon Project Quality Management) in New York City. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris McNally supports environmental groups such as the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).

In addition to overseeing programs focused on climate change, energy, water, and other areas, the NRDC pursues a variety of projects and initiatives to raise awareness about global environmental issues. In early 2016, the organization celebrated the world premiere of Sonic Sea, a documentary it produced with Imaginary Forces and the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

Narrated by Rachel McAdams, Sonic Sea highlights the ways that noise pollution in the ocean affects whales and other marine animals. A major problem worldwide, noise from commercial ships, machinery, and other sources is interfering with the ocean’s acoustic habitat and making it difficult for animals to communicate with one another.

Throughout 2016, Sonic Sea was screened at several US festivals, including the Wild & Scenic Film Festival, where it won the Jury Award and the Jean de Graff Environmental Filmmaking Award. The documentary also won awards at the International Ocean Film Festival in San Francisco, the Yosemite International Film Festival, the United Nations Association Film Festival, and other events.

More recently, Sonic Sea, which premiered globally on the Discovery Channel, took home awards for Outstanding Nature Documentary and Outstanding Music and Sound at the 2017 News and Documentary Emmy Awards. The film was also nominated for the 2017 Graphic Design and Art Direction Emmy.

Tisch School of the Arts, New York University – MFA in Filmmaking

 

MFA in Filmmaking
Image: tisch.nyu.edu

Before becoming president of Falcon Project Quality Management in New York, Christopher “Chris” McNally attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a bachelor of arts in history. Chris McNally also attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he earned his MFA.

Founded in 1965, the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU features a wide variety of courses in theatre and film production, allowing students to choose those that fit with their desired career goals. Graduate programs include areas like dance, acting, stage design, musical theatre writing, and film.

The graduate film studies program allows students to achieve a master of fine arts in film, providing a full range of skills to help prepare students for their desired career. During the three-year program, students will produce a minimum of four short films and take part in several shooting exercises to help develop their skills in filmmaking.

Riverside Park Conservancy Engages Teens in Local Horticulture

 

Riverside Park Conservancy
Image: riversideparknyc.org

Possessing more than two decades of experience in the construction industry, Christopher McNally heads Falcon Project Quality Management, a firm that he founded. Alongside his work with Falcon, Chris McNally is dedicated to protecting New York’s natural environment. Chris McNally supports a number of organizations working in this capacity, including Riverside Park Conservancy, which maintains and restores the green space that runs alongside the Hudson River in Manhattan.

One of the organization’s key programs is the Riverside Teen Corps, which mobilizes local high school students to contribute to the beautification of their community while gaining valuable horticulture skills. Teen Corps, which runs during the summer months, pairs volunteers with zone gardeners to care for new spring plantings and prepare the park for fall landscaping.

There are a number of opportunities available to teens, from learning how to walk with perennials, shrubs, vines, trees, and bulbs to maintaining the various equipment used to keep the park clean, safe, and beautiful. Specialized skills that teens can learn include removing invasive species and aerating tree pits.

Riverkeeper Supporters Help Protect the New York City Watershed

Riverkeeper
Image: riverkeeper.org

As president of Falcon Enterprises Associates, Inc., Christopher “Chris” McNally leads the New York-based organization, which provides quality management services for clients overseeing construction projects. Alongside his activities at Falcon, Chris McNally works to give back to his community through his support of several local groups, including Riverkeeper.

A nonprofit focused on protecting the Hudson River and the entire New York City watershed, Riverkeeper oversees several programs and campaigns that aim to stop polluters, safeguard drinking water, preserve river ecology, and restore local waterways. The organization also works closely with local partners to advance policy initiatives that address climate change, clean energy, gas drilling, and other issues.

Those who would like to support Riverkeeper’s efforts can do so in several ways. In addition to making a one-time financial donation, individuals can become Riverkeeper sustainers by donating to the organization each month. Riverkeeper also accepts gifts of appreciated stock and participates in Amazon’s AmazonSmile program, which enables donors to support their favorite charity every time they make a qualified purchase through the online retailer.

Beyond providing Riverkeeper with financial support, those looking to get involved in the organization’s work can volunteer for cleanup projects along the Hudson River or attend one of the group’s fundraising events.

For more information about Riverkeeper and the ways in which you can support the organization’s efforts, visit www.riverkeeper.org.

Riverside Park Conservancy Holds 2016 Spring Gala

Riverside Park Conservancy
Image: riversideparknyc.org

With over two decades of construction experience, Christopher “Chris” McNally leads Falcon Project Quality Management as company president. In addition to his professional activities at Falcon, Chris McNally dedicates time and resources to national and local groups such as Riverside Park Conservancy.

Throughout the year, Riverside Park Conservancy holds several fundraising events supporting its mission to maintain and improve Riverside Park for the residents of New York. As part of its 30th-anniversary celebrations, the conservancy held its 2016 Spring Gala on June 6 at the General Grant National Memorial.

Actress and longtime environmental activist Debra Winger hosted the event, which featured cocktails, dinner, and dancing as well as a presentation of the inaugural Riverside Park Conservancy Citizenship Award to Robert Morgenthau, a former New York County district attorney who continues to serve the local community through a variety of activities. In terms of fundraising, the 2016 Spring Gala was the Conservancy’s most successful. The funds raised through the event will go a long way toward supporting the organization’s efforts to protect the 350-acre park.