9/26/01: INTO ACTION

September 26 to the Battery Park City Association (BPCA) emergency message boards:

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Transportation & Access Update 9-26 11pm:

Thanks for everyone's great input!  They seem to be opening more streets to free pedestrian traffic, there was only one check point tonight at Chambers and Westside Highway on my way from Franklin St. Station to 22 River Terrace.  Yay!  I don't have confirmation on private vehicle access below Canal yet.  However, I should have something up to date for you tomorrow night.

I talked to the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Inspector tonight (Wednesday), he is receptive to hearing our issues and ideas.  I am going to see him tomorrow at the OEM Command Center at Pier 92.  He said they are working on clearing out remaining work cars (NYPD officers' personal cars, the officers drove to the scene on that day but didn't drive out.  Tragic and sickening.) 

I have talked to two management companies to offer to take their access issues to the OEM, but they haven't come up with anything for me.  I know in general what their issues are -- clean up crews and repair vehicles have been turned away.  The OEM Inspector says that shouldn't be happening.  (so I'll find out how we can keep it from happening)

The Inspector hopes to have jitneys running for us by tomorrow night.  (He sounded hopeful but not confident when he said this, so it might not be tomorrow night.  But at least they are planning transportation for us asap!)

Several residents have contacted me with great ideas and input, it's been nice to connect with neighbors, thanks!

I will cover the following issues with OEM tomorrow:

1.  Control of Pedestrian Traffic: Safety issues.

2.  Vehicle Access: Buses, Cabs, Private cars, Work & Moving Trucks, Delivery Services.

3.  Checkpoint Plan:  On what timeline will checkpoints be eradicated, and if we're going to be living with them for a while how can we manage them more efficiently.

4.  Public Transportation (new bus routes, jitneys, trains).

I'll give you a full report tomorrow night.   I would love to have someone from the Battery Park City Authority with me at this meeting, does anyone know the appropriate person I should talk to at BPCA?

I would also love to hear any last minute issues before I meet with him tomorrow (Thursday afternoon).  We didn't set an exact time, he says he is there from 6a-Midnight, in fact he's sleeping at Pier 92.

best,

Mary

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PROPOSED TEMPORARY BATTERY PARK CITY TRANSPORTATION

1.  Bowling Green (or Fulton Street Station)

2.  South End & Albany (there's already a bus stop there)

3.  Chambers & River Terrace (or Chambers & Westside Hwy)

4.  Greenwich & Harrison (or whichever cross street is closest to the Food Emporium)

5.  Franklin Street Station

6.  Canal & Broadway

This bus line, which should be run by MTA, is necessary for three reasons: 

1.  Train service has been greatly affected, most likely indefinitely.  Most people suddenly find themselves living far from any train station.

2.  As long as local grocery stores, pharmacies and delivery services remain closed, residents need transportation to buy food and fill prescriptions.

3.  As long as private transportation and cabs are prohibited, people who can't walk the distances now required have no alternatives and are completely immobile.

As these situations resolve themselves (stores opening and cars allowed in), stops can be removed.  Getting to train stations, however, might remain an issue for a long time.

If the issue becomes train station access only, maybe a City Shuttle would suffice, with two stops in Battery Park City.

The BPC Shuttle Carts I was suggesting would be BPCA run and just drive up and down BPC, taking people from buildings to the bus stops.  These are necessary as long as cars are prohibited.  However, this might be a great service under any circumstances.

These are not my areas of expertise, but I am interested in figuring this out with the City and BPCA.   Perhaps existing bus lines can be altered without requiring great changes or many more resources.  Perhaps a second or altered line should be explored for the Financial District and East side.  The MTA is probably working to resolve these issues already, but it would be a positive move for us to request and suggest services that we need. 

Keep in mind that certain systems and services we establish now will become our new norm.

I look forward to the BPC Residents Association Town Hall meeting tomorrow night.

Hope all is well with everyone,

Mary

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