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Last Thursday, The Unified Community Civic Association hosted a public information session on a proposed FedEx distribution center in Astoria, Queens. The 255,000 square foot project is the source of serious consternation in the neighborhood, where residents fear hundreds of new trucks will flood the streets. The lot in question is part of the [...] On June 28, 1983, twenty-five years ago tomorrow, a section of the northbound side of an I-95 bridge spanning Connecticut’s Mianus River collapsed. Three people died in the tragedy, with another three injured (far more would have been at risk had the collapse occurred during the day rather than very early in the morning). [...]
Will any New York politicians stand up for transit? (Above: the NY State Assembly Chamber.) A common thread ran through several MTA meetings held this week: there is not enough money to meet the financial needs of the MTA system, especially as ridership has increased. To deal with cost escalations in [...]
IKEA brings you the new Red Hook weekend. These pictures were taken last Sunday afternoon at the intersection of Bay Street and Henry Street in Red Hook, Brooklyn, about five blocks from the IKEA which opened on June 18. Bay Street runs through the Red Hook ballfields and is part [...]
While sub-prime loans have taken the brunt of the blame for the housing crisis, some analysts are examining the role that skyrocketing gas prices have played in decreasing home values, particularly in automobile-dependent suburbs and exurbs. A recently released report by CEOs for Cities, a national network of elected officials, civic groups, corporate executives, and others, makes this argument. Driven to the Brink: How the Gas Price Spike Popped the Housing Bubble and Devalued the Suburbs, analyzes the housing bubble collapse and links it to a rise in energy costs and sprawling development that places homes further and further away from downtowns. The report finds that “the higher price of gas has most affected suburban housing values… distant suburbs have seen the largest declines, while values in ‘close-in’ neighborhoods have held up better, and in some cases continued to increase.” (In the table below, “distant” neighborhoods are 13 miles from the central business district, while “close-in” neighborhoods are 3 miles away.) This is hardly surprising, considering that sprawling development patterns lack the density to efficiently support mass transit and are often hostile environments for pedestrians and cyclists. For many residents of these areas, the only viable option is the automobile, even as it becomes more expensive to drive.
The traffic calming movement is sweeping New Haven, thanks to citizen action and the remarkable efforts of TSTC’s partners in the New Haven Safe Streets Coalition. The Coalition-sponsored petition, which calls on the City of New Haven to strictly enforce existing traffic laws and undertake specific long-term measures to reduce traffic injuries by 90% [...] The Southern Bronx River Watershed Alliance, of which TSTC is a member, is hiring a new coordinator to carry out its community education and organizing work, support the participation of its member organizations in the campaign, and manage its day-to-day communications and operations. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to working in [...] The MTA has long fought public sentiment that it is wasteful and not to be trusted, a perception many elected officials have been quick to capitalize on. Recent news, such as a raise for executive director Elliot Sander and free EZ Passes and transit passes for board members, certainly doesn’t help. At a time [...] Congratulations to TSTC staffer Veronica Vanterpool, who was recently promoted to the position of associate director. Veronica joined the Campaign a year ago to help win support for NYC’s congestion pricing program and throughout the year proved herself as a dynamic and vibrant advocate who cares deeply about the mission of TSTC. Veronica came [...] Bee-Line Bus riders on Central Ave. in Westchester could be getting major improvements in service, with buses every 10 minutes, more and better bus shelters, and speedier and more reliable travel times. That’s the potential of the Westchester Dept. of Transportation’s Central Avenue Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) study, which held its second open house [...] |
 
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Copyright © 2013 Tri-State Transportation Campaign |
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A fundamental belief at Tri-State is that land use planning and transportation planning are intrinsically linked, and that the failure to consider them in tandem has resulted in many of our current mobility problems. The current housing foreclosure crisis, and its reverberating impacts, may be another unexpected consequence of this failure.