Russ sent this to me. It's one of the saddest days ever in Brooklyn. I am friends with Bob Diamond. I've known him 20 years. It's so sad. Russ and I will be meeting with some of the guys from the BHRA on Memorial Day, guess we'll hear more then............ http://www.brooklynrail.com/images/News_10/brooklynHeightsCourier5.19..jpg
"New York is an ugly city, a dirty city. It's climate is a scandel, it's politics are used to frighten children, it's traffic is madness, it's competition is murderous. But there is one thing about it - once you have lived in New York and it has become your home, no place else is good enough. All of everything is concentrated here, theater, art, writing, publishing, importing, business, murder, mugging, luxury, poverty. It is all of everything. It goes all right. It is tireless and it's air is charged with energy." - John Steinbeck
This was THE best chance to ever see a trolley run in the 5 boros of NYC ever again and it looks like it will not be. Bob Diamond has put decades of work into this project and it is just so sad that his hard work may go unrewarded. Also sad is that the NYC DOT witheld funds all these years probably knowing that rents would eventually go up and the Economic Develop corp. would have a hand in the areas development. (The EDC is also the organization trying to get the Cross Harbor kicked out of Bush Terminal) I guess it's business as usual in this city JT. I can only wonder what kind of transportation alternatives are going to be planned when the area is already overdeveloped and no transportaion systems are in place. The infrastructure is there now and it should be utilized before it is plowed over and forgotten. The whole section of Red Hook Brooklyn are the real losers in this as they are already, literally, cut off from the rest of the borough. This trolley line was going to actually help connect them to the rest of the transit system. Russ
Russ, you know Bob too. I feel for him more than anything else. Guess a person's life's work and dream just doesn't mean anything anymore. There's so much here that can't even be mentioned. From criminals to corrupt politicans that he had fought with for over 20 years........it doesn't matter anymore......
These are the same politicians that use transportation initiatives as a platform to boost votes. Well, here was the golden goose and now it's just scrambled eggs.... Russ
When you speak of the lack of support from the politicians, keep in mind that the issue must be popular before they will get behind it. With the push for the Second Ave subway and the transportation hub in lower Manhatten, they solved ALL the transportation issues. Now they are focused on economic rebuilding. That is why the riverfront rebuilding in Brooklyn has become popular. You are right though, it would have been nice to see a trolley running down the street.
Bob had a lot of support behind him. I really believe if it weren't for 9/11, this thing may have gotten off the ground. What I do believe people didn't want is the new Fairway store. The locals have some peace and quiet in that neighborhood. Now it's going to cause a mess. I live two blocks from the original Fairway, and it causes nightmares on the weekends and most of the day too. We did have a meeting today with someone from the BHRA and he thinks Bob might just relocate........... Anyway, Bob Diamond remains a hero to many people in Brooklyn.
If I am not mistaken, the BHRA was originally located further north anyway. It's just ashame that the trackage that has been laid so far may have to be torn up and started again. Now, if I were King of Kings County, I would give the best of both worlds, that is, a Fairway Market that would be a serviced stop of the Trolley Line! Now there is something to think about! Russ
