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 »
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 »
City Councilman Michael Nelson will be hosting the NYC Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) and the NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) at Kingsborough Community College (KBCC) for a meeting. The meeting, to be held on July 22, will be to introduce the city’s effort to expand ferry service from additional areas in Brooklyn.
The Comprehensive Citywide Ferry Study flyer asks New Yorkers to attend the meeting to let them know if there are more than 11 possible ferry landing locations in Brooklyn that might have been overlooked. Zetlin Consultants, the firm hired by the city to examine the issue, is looking at Sheepshead Bay, Floyd Bennett Field, Coney Island, and Bay Ridge – among other sites – for possible ferry launch sites.
Councilman Nelson is currently advocating for such ferry service out of Sheepshead Bay, but is holding back full support until more information is available regarding parking, cost, duration of the trip, and other practicalities such as whether it will be necessary to dredge the bay to offer services.
Even though KBCC is known as being out in the boondocks, let’s hope that doesn’t dissuade people from attending this important meeting. We suggest that you take public transportation. It’s a cool walk from the subway or take the bus that stops about two blocks from the college.
Brooklyn Public Meeting
Comprehensive Citywide Ferry Study
Kingsborough Community College
2001 Oriental Boulevard
Brooklyn, NY 11235
Rm. U219/U200
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
7 p.m.
