The city must address unanswered logistical and environmental questions about its plan to create a ferry stop in Coney Island Creek, according to some locals, who blasted officials for failing to include solutions to such concerns in their formal location study before selecting the site (“Ferry uneasy: City named Coney Creek as site for nabe’s new ferry before solving critical logistical, environmental issues, locals say” by Julianne McShane, online Feb. 4).
“Just because you have water, it doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to put a boat on it,” said Ida Sanoff, who lives in Brighton Beach. “This is a problematic location.”
Honchos at the Economic Development Corporation — the agency that oversees the NYC Ferry Service — released their feasibility study of the proposed site at Bayview Avenue and W. 33rd Street last month, days after Mayor DeBlasio announced that a boat would regularly set sail from the People’s Playground on less than 40-minute rides to Manhattan as soon as 2021.
The study notes that creating a dock in the creek at Bayview Avenue and W. 33rd Street poses “operational risks” and challenges, including the width of the waterway’s entry point, shallow waters, shifting sands, and the need for regular dredging at the site — all of which could hinder reliable service.
The online comments were mixed:
If the Coney Island route does not work out, please replace it with Staten Island to-from Bay Ridge.MJ from Bay Ridge
An easy transportation route would be some east–west bike lanes. Bike lanes are lacking in this area of Brooklyn. Can’t ride on the Boardwalk legally and aside from Ocean Parkway — none.Bike Mike from Coney
There’s a bike lane on Neptune Avenue.Brian from West Brighton
So much for DeBlasio carrying on about the environment for the wellbeing of his constituents. Public health and safety are the major priorities for all of its ferry riders.The Hunkster from Bed-Stuy
“Did anybody ask how many people living in Nycha are working on Wall Street?” Sanoff asked. Funny, they think it’s for Nycha residents. Open your eyes, it’s for the luxury developments coming in and the new crowd to go along with it.
Bestovsky from West Brighton
This is a horrible spot to have a ferry. With the continually drifting sands, they will destroy the creek and shoreline. Trying to turn this sand into something it is not. Mother Nature will win in the end and it will be a huge waste of money. Why not a ferry stop where there is already access to a pier? And a shuttle bus to the ferry from the housing? I’m disabled and this is the only beach I can access in Brooklyn, because the road is so close to the water. Look at the beach at Coney Island Park — remember how much that has changed in the past 20 years even with billions of tons of sand moved in? This is a continuation of the same shoreline and will be just as unstable and unpredictable.Bunita from Ocean Parkway
They put it anywhere, can’t wait to see the changes this will bring due to the increased accessibility to Coney Island. More cute cafes, more foot traffic, a bar or two … maybe six? We need a club like Output in Coney Island … perfect area!Alex from Brighton
Of course it’s for the new crowd coming to the luxury developments. But they are going to be stuck in the same awful traffic mess that everyone else is stuck in, and they will be trapped in the summer just like everyone else. Add to that more dollar vans, Ubers, and jitneys going to-from the ferry stop and more people on bikes. Ask anyone who has tried to sell their house or apartment recently. Once people see the traffic, they are not interested in buying.Wunder
As for people not wanting to buy, please go to Zillow. Filter by year of purchase and see how many apartments, attached houses, and properties were sold in 2018 alone. Not sure it’s deterring anyone from buying knowing where Coney Island is going in the next five to 10 years. If only I had more income to purchase land and sit on it in deep Coney.
As for the traffic, once the area improves and the wealthy complain, traffic rerouting and the prevention of turns will be put in place.Alex from Brighton
Changing Brooklyn
To the Editor,
I’m writing in the hope that you will print this letter and people reading it will agree with me.
I was born and raised in Brooklyn and have never left. It hurts to see the streets where I grew up no longer look like my beautiful Brooklyn. Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former Borough President Marty Markowitz have made Brooklyn horrible and ugly. It has lost its beauty. Bloomberg started with planting trees, but homeowners have to pay for the sidewalks when the tree trunks lift them up. That’s not right or fair to homeowners.
Then, Bloomberg got together with then–Borough President Markowitz and brought all these developers in to buy houses and push people out. Gone are the supermarkets, the fish store on Smith Street, Pat’s meat market, and vegetable vendors like Tony’s, which was on the corner of Bergen and Smith streets, and Willie’s, which was on the corner of Pacific and Smith streets. There was not French restaurant on Dean and Smith.
In 1960, Paisanos Butcher operated within the shop where Nick’s Shoe Repair used to be, but today all we have left is one bodega. The Rite Aid on Smith and Warren streets was once a furniture store. Even Fulton Street is no longer Fulton Street, because all we have left is nothing but ugly, horrible, tall buildings. Former places of beauty in Brooklyn are no longer beautiful. All I see when I walk down Bond Street are tall buildings and a crane that I can also see from my kitchen windows. And when you walk down certain streets, there are nothing but hotels.
The newbies that have come here are so rude, they never say sorry or excuse me, they want to walk over you. People felt safe when police officers were walking the beat, and people who lived in housing felt safe and secure with the housing police.Sunny Lowe
Boerum Hill
Dem Bums
To the Editor,
Jan. 31 marked the 100th birthday of baseball legend and civil-rights activist Jackie Robinson. It reminded me of the “Boys of Summer” winning Dodgers teams from the 1950s. They included catcher Roy Campanella, first baseman Gil Hodges, second baseman Junior Gilliam, shortstop Pee Wee Reese, third baseman Billy Cox, right fielder Carl Furillo, and Jackie Robinson, who played several positions. Most have long forgotten that today’s Los Angeles Dodgers had their roots in Brooklyn.
The original Brooklyn Dodgers name was derived from Brooklyn residents who would dodge trolley cars, which ran for decades until their own decline and final death in the 1950s. Ordinary Brooklyn natives could ride the bus, trolley, or subway to Ebbets Field to see their beloved Dodgers. Working and middle class men and woman of all ages, classes, and races co-mingled in the stands. Everyone could afford a bleacher, general admission, reserve, or box seat. Hot dogs, beer, other refreshments, and souvenirs were reasonably priced. Team owners would raise or reduce a player’s salary based on their performance the past season. Salaries were so low, that virtually all Dodger players worked at another job off season. Most Dodger players were actually neighbors who lived and worked in various communities in the County of Kings.
This year marks the 62nd anniversary of the old Brooklyn Dodgers playing their final season in Kings County. During the 1950s, Dodgers owner Walter O’Malley tried to find various locations for construction of a new baseball stadium, which he pledged to finance using his own funds. With limited seating and automobile parking capacity at Ebbets Field, he needed a new modern stadium to remain financially viable.
New York City master mega builder Robert Moses refused to allow him access to the current day Barclays Center site. This location was easily accessible to thousands of baseball fans from all around the Big Apple via numerous subway lines.
Imagine how different Brooklyn would have been if elected officials had stood up to Robert Moses and allowed construction of a new Dodgers stadium Downtown. Larry Penner
Great Neck
