With the city trying to breathe new life into Coney Island, they’re also looking to revive a dead idea: ferry service.
Following last week’s announcement that the city purchased 6.9 acres of amusement district real estate from Thor Equities developer Joe Sitt for $95.6 million, they have started a consultant search to reevaluate Coney Island’s potential for ferry service to Manhattan and northern Brooklyn. If the site is deemed worthy, it stands to receive $3.2 million in federal transportation funding. Continue Reading »
On Friday, NYC Economic Development Corporation sent out its request for proposals (RFP) for amusement operators on the shiny new land it just bought. Worked into the guidelines is a requirement that all applicants must have attractions in place for the Summer 2010 season on a lot that accounts for roughly half the city-owned land. This guarantees something to see next year, and hopefully it’s better than the dreaded Sitt Sideshow. Continue Reading »
Why can’t Sheepshead Bay have a commuter ferry to Manhattan? It’s the parking, stupid.
That was the message Sheepshead Bay residents sent the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) during last night’s hearing on increasing Brooklyn ferry service to several locations including Sheepshead Bay.
The hearing, hosted by the EDC, the Department of Transportation (DOT), and Councilman Michael C. Nelson’s office, brought out local leaders including Community Board Chairperson Theresa Scavo, Bay Improvement Group president Steve Barrison, and several members of the Sheepshead Bay/Plumb Beach Civic Association and the Manhattan Beach Community Group. All opposed the plans.
“It’s romantic. It’s beautiful. It’s wonderful. But practically speaking, it’s not practical,” said Barrison.
Concerns by local leaders revolve around costs, demand, infrastructure needs, and the time it would take to reach Manhattan. But at the heart of it all is parking.
“Parking in the area is already at a premium. To bring more people in would be a nightmare,” said SB/PB Civic’s attorney, Gene Berardelli.
The ferry proposal, officially known as the Comprehensive Citywide Ferry Study, is still in its early stages, with landing profiles yet to be created. The EDC was unable to provide implementation or operating costs for the service, but noted that the ferry ride from Sheepshead Bay is estimated to take about 40 minutes and cost $6. Continue Reading »
There is some construction work happening on the Ocean Avenue Pedestrian Footbridge and a barge loaded with a crane and steel beams is anchored in Sheepshead Bay. A reader alerted us to the construction when he saw some of the beams being replaced. Let’s hope they fix some of those crumbling planks, as well.
We wonder if this has anything to do with recent complaints from Community Board 15 Chairperson Theresa Scavo. After the New York City Economic Development Corporation finished patchwork repairs to the crumbling Shore Boulevard bulkhead and the footbridge, Scavo balked at the results, saying “It looks like garbage.” Maybe workers are back to fix their shoddy work.
On Friday, June 12, 2009 when we passed by, there was no construction activity and no workers on hand. It appears as though the footbridge will remain open for pedestrians to walk over, as well as for them to get knocked over by bicyclists who simply refuse to dismount when crossing the bridge.
