BHA Presents Alternative BQE Plan to DOT

I posted the entire text of the BHA’s statement on Wednesday’s Open Thread.

As I commented on the Eagle, let’s see: do we want to adversely affect many small and large buildings that back onto the Promenade and their perhaps thousands of residents—not to mention thousands of tourists and many local businesses—or do we want to temporarily impact the dirt berms along the eastern edge of Brooklyn Bridge Park?

To my mind, this is a no-brainer.

This certainly shows promise, and is far better than the “innovative” proposal. Do they say how many lanes wide the double-decker structure will be? I assume 3 lanes on each level.

I do like that they plan for “traffic management techniques” too. This ought to be an opportunity to introduce bridge tolls or other strategies to try and discourage our city’s reliance on automobiles.

I said the berms, not 360 Furman Street or the other residential buildings. Do not accuse me of something I did not say.

Well, people don’t know what they don’t know, I have educated myself on most aspects of the engineering involved, thought through possible “over the berms” or “through the park” scenarios. While technically possible to some degree, the enormous cost involved and limited benefit will likely make any such scheme a no go for the DOT.
Thanks for the head’s up on the typo…

I wish I could be more hopeful, but here are some problems – beyond the fact that the BHA and the “designer” both flubbed bigtime in being unable to provide (even 5 days later) ANY “here’s what it would look like.”

You gotta think that piggy-backing the lanes is somebody’s “genius” idea as to how to “keep the path as narrow as possible.”

BUT the tradeoff is a much more complex & expensive proposal – PLUS the added height makes sound issues more pernicious.

And talk about “cheaping out” when – arguably – the neighborhood’s viability is at stake. [Anybody who’s thinking “I’m 2 whole blocks from Columbia Heights and won’t be that affected in any event” is likely to be rudely awakened!]

It’s almost as if the BHA went on Craigslist and called for “somebody with design skills who’ll volunteer his/her time…. you’ll get plenty of exposure by way of payment.”

Seriously, I’m sure the designer is both decent & capable, but his website and accompanying resume are beyond low-key. At a time the BHA should have reached out to the community for serious money to come up with a serious alternative, … they did no such thing. (Again, it’s not snarky to suggest that having gone 0-2 vs. BBP, they said, “Let’s try for a few sympathetic news stories … and not spend much. No 3-time losers, we!”

And last, it’s as if somebody important at the BHA had a temper tantrum a la 4-year-olds and POTUS. “Throw out the constraints that make for limited choices!” NICE! [ironic!!] Tell Cuomo and a Legislature feeling its way to drop dead or roll over! Yeah, that’s got excellent chances.

Remember, the DOT takes orders from the Mayor, and HE belatedly recognizes that he’s almost as constrained in that role as he was as Public Advocate. Remember, too, that he talked about saving LICH … until crunch time. His current “I’m open to alternatives” is the kind of head fake that sometimes works on a basketball court – and might here, too, since the BHA has let the world see that it’s holding a trash hand and is low on chips.

That’s “heads up,” not “head’s [head is] up”…

The “berms” include a much needed children’s play ground which is slated to be completed in 2020, as well as the maintenance structures for the park. Additionally the “berms” are part of the park which create not only a noise and visual barrier between Furman traffic and the recreational areas but are essential parts of of the ecosystem which support the wildlife on Piers 1, 3 and 4. If you have spent any time walking IN the park, this is quite clear – especially near Piers 3 and 5. Don’t dump this on the park. Kill the “innovative” approach and take the pain of lane by lane.

Google “people don’t know what they don’t know,” but don’t ask me these questions.

I realize that Andrew, but my understanding is that you’re also following these proceedings more closely than I am, so I value any illumination you can provide. If you don’t know the answers to my questions that’s fine too, I don’t expect you to, I was just wondering.

“Lane by lane” is even less likely to happen than a tunnel – which means that they’re both in the <1% probability range.

Bill and Andy don't align on much, but "Amazon" hints at that sliver! Both of them very much like big and splashy and self-aggrandizing! Both of them think that all we need to do is tweak VERY tired formulas … and we'll get the benefits without the costs. (I doubt that the 2nd Avenue subway – as it exists and likely will in 2050 – would come close to getting a Yes on "Was this a good use of that much money?")

So, "fast tracking" is the "easy answer" these days, and "rip off the bandaid" appeals to people who really, truly think they know better than anybody else. (And their speeches saying that they HAD TO put the needs of 100,000 motorists ahead of 10,000 rich people are already written – you'd better believe it!)

Compare "the waterfront" in neighboring Cobble Hill to "ours!" Thank heavens, Heightsers in Robert Moses' day did not simply roll over as BHB's most frequent poster advocates. He kvells about a proposed playground on the berm … and – what? – "overlooks" what will happen to Pierrepont Street's one.

Let's keep our eye on the ball. An athlete who lets his attention wander to what car he'd like to buy … is likely to get a concussion.

"Fix the BQE plan" is "MAGA" for thinking people – sounds good and IS good. Yes, the Heights would survive even 10 years of a highway where the promenade is now – the DOT is not THAT crazy – but it would give Robert Moses the last laugh and make life in the Heights enormously less high quality!

"Going through the park" isn't NIMBY-ism – it's simply (and it's far from being a close call) the lesser of 2 evils. THESE ARE "the finalists." No sense whining that "Roger should have been out there on Sunday." It's time to pivot from "Fix the BQE plan" to "Let us breathe!"

That's what's at stake here – if the DOT plan happens, hundreds of Heights kids will go to school wearing face masks. Every person reading this blog can connect the dots between cars and climate change, so anything short of civil disobedience to Promenade-into-6-lanes is simply self-immolation.

I don’t think that ANYBODY would argue against a tunnel …. if cost were no object. But let’s “review the bidding,” as it were. Yes, the DOT *might* say, “On second thought, maybe, the promenade CAN continue as is – or with a very short-term shutdown/fix.”

As the local wags say, “If you believe that, I have a bridge you might be interested in.”

Actually, what’s next – barring a kind of groundswell that goes way beyond some signs in Heights windows – commercial & residential – is an environmental impact statement. This is like WNYC’s hiring a law firm to “review its commitment to diversity.” You get what you pay for, and the DOT will certainly hire carefully and get a “not wonderful … but not health-threatening” verdict.

I seriously doubt whether the engineering firms’ mandate will include any named or how-about-X alternatives.

Our Councilman, Mr. Levin, is a machine product – make no mistake. He’s shown nothing resembling a spine in connection with 2-3 issues affecting the Heights and nearby. YES, he’s gone on record as saying that BBP *may* be impacted by BQE remediation, but he will NEVER “lead the charge.” (Oh yes, and he’s thrown cold water on the tunnel alternative.)

That’s why the BHA’s lethargy is so distressing. “You gotta reconsider your plan” (said to the DOT) is oh so easy to ignore.

Last try … today. It’s NOT about Columbia Hts. residents – not only am I far from there, but I share your sense that they embolden Bill rather than worrying him. The Promenade IS even more a “Heights feature and amenity” than the High Line could ever be for Chelsea. If it had a usage pattern similar to Cadman’s Park, it would be “toast.” BUT IT is a top 3 NYC photo-op, and tourism is a top 3 economic driver for NYC.

Remember, diBlasio will be a former Mayor – can’t happen too soon – if/when 6 lanes are running where joggers, tourists, dog-owners and locals now give thanks…. UNLESS I’m not the only one who points out that there IS a better way – any way you slice it. A berm and the “heart” of Furman Street are simply not in the same league as the promenade! (And, as I said earlier today, breathable air is not something any neighborhood should have to beg for!)

Manhattan rallied when Central Park was at risk; Brooklyn has got to rise to the occasion, too.

Yes, near Atlantic WILL be challenging, but that’s why they’re talking $4 Billion and 8 years, both of which will probably balloon.

But I’ve walked every inch of the route I propose, and I believe it’s viable. In due course, the BHA will produce (or reproduce) some drawings, and you’ll see that it actually will be much LESS challenging than the DOT proposal.

Theirs, in fact, is like a dentist doing a root canal on a patient in the process of devouring a bowl full of corn on the cob.

Here’s a famous old quote that’s applicable: Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.

That’s where we are – the DOT plan borders on impossible – with that in mind, “difficult” and somewhat disruptive win going away!

You haven’t really proposed anything, you’ve just made some vague references about the berms and the park. And your assurances sound like the POTUS… ‘don’t worry folks, I have it all figured out, it’s gonna be great’…
Please give a detailed explanation of how you think the highway can be routed “through the park” and the sequence of construction.

I mean Furman.