Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency
October 6th, 2016
In an attempt to adhere to the corporate wish of staying informed about the present and future of the New York City waterways and coastal health, the NYC Ferry representatives attend local meetings, conferences and panel discussions to learn how we can best assist in preserving the city’s waterfront and prevent further damage to the city’s coast.
“The Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency (LMCR) Project is an integrated coastal protection initiative aimed at reducing flood risk due to coastal storms and sea level rise in Lower Manhattan. The LMCR Project spans the Lower Manhattan coast from Montgomery Street to the northern end of Battery Park City and seeks to improve access to the waterfront and enhance public spaces in the community.” – Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency
The October Lower Manhattan Coastal Resiliency meeting focused on “Protecting, Connecting and Strengthening Your Neighborhood,” which drew participants from the local community – from business and property owners to elected officials. Topics discussed in the meeting ranged from potential waterfront infrastructure changes to protect the city’s residents from storms and flooding to various levels of community priorities.
The main takeaway from October’s coastal resiliency meeting was therefore that the residents and elected officials alike are concerned with the reliability of the steps taken to create a safe waterfront improvement for the future of the New York City harbor.
Queens: Community Board 14
October 7th, 2016
NYC Ferry representatives met with Community Board 14 representatives, District Manager Jon Gaska and co-Transportation Committee Chairs, Daniel Ruscillo and Martin Ingram, in the Rockaways this past week. They introduced the ferry service’s scope and mission, while listening to the local community leader’s concerns and questions about the service launching in 2017.
In the meeting, topics such as the heavier ridership during the summer months, accessibility, on board sports equipment storage, and how local residents can benefit from the new mode of public transportation were discussed. Furthermore, there was a thorough discussion about safety and reliability in connection to the uniquely built Rockaway route ferries, equipped with active ride control, which lessens the feel of rough waters.
The parties agree that NYC Ferry’s community outreach and support of local businesses is key to the service’s success, which will continue to be a main pillar in NYC Ferry’s corporate focus leading up to the service launch and beyond. Thus, the elected community board officials recognize and celebrate the new mode of transportation between Manhattan and the Rockaways, as it will ease the currently congested summertime transit system, boost local business’ economies, and assist Queens residents saving time on weekly commutes.