The Port Authority is proposing to build new entrances for the 9th and Christopher Street PATH stations on Christopher Street, at Bedford Street and Waverly Place. PATH says the new stairs are necessary to address safety issues post 9-11, but GVSHP has raised serious concerns about the appropriateness of these locations, and urged PATH to explore other options than building on narrow streets with historic structures. We have asked PATH not to move forward on construction until these issues can be resolved.
PATH has refused to substantiate their claim that these are the only locations where the new stairs can go, and the only way to address their safety issues. Instead, they have commissioned an “independent study” to look at alternatives for the plan, but have refused to say what the basis for the study or its conclusions will be. All the while, they continue work on the project. The Mayor and the Governor, who could intervene, have so far refused.
Please write:
| Mayor Michael Bloomberg | Gov. George Pataki | Exec. Dir. Joseph Seymour |
| City Hall Exec. Chamber | Capitol | Port Authority, 225 Park Av. So. |
| New York, NY 10007 | Albany, NY 12224 | New York, NY 10003 |
Tell them that preserving the character of our historic streets must also be considered in this plan, and work should halt until all options for this project are truly explored. The Mayor and Governor can pressure PATH or prevent the project from going forward.
For more information, call us at 212/475-9585. Please write as soon as possible.
Joseph Seymour
Executive Director, Port
Authority of New York and New Jersey
225 Park Avenue South, 17th
floor
New York, NY 10003
Dear Mr. Seymour:
I am very concerned about the proposed plan to build new entrances for the Christopher and 9th Street PATH stations. The proposed locations, on Christopher Street near Bedford Street and Waverly Place, are on narrow side streets flanked by historic structures, some nearly 200 years old. Inserting PATH entrances at these locations could have a significant impact on pedestrian and vehicular traffic in the area. The existing PATH entrances, by contrast, are located on broad major avenues.
I understand that PATH has serious safety concerns it seeks to address. However, impacts on the community in which the entrances will be located, and the appropriateness of the particular locations chosen, must also be considered. I ask that other, more appropriate locations be considered, along with other options, such as emergency-only exits.
So far, unfortunately, PATH has refused to provide the information to substantiate the necessity of building entrances only at these locations. Instead, an “independent study” has been commissioned to look at possible alternatives, but PATH has refused to say what the parameters of the study are, or what its conclusions will be based upon. Without this information, there can be no confidence in the study’s efficacy.
Illogically, even during this “study period,” work on the project continues. This has included inappropriate boring work without a permit on Gay Street, one of the Village’s narrowest streets of fragile, historic structures. This hardly instills confidence in PATH’s ability and willingness to ensure that these streets and structures are preserved.
I ask that you immediately halt work on this project until these issues can be resolved. All reasonable options for addressing both safety needs and neighborhood preservation concerns should be considered before this project moves any farther forward.
Sincerely,
Governor George E. Pataki
The Executive Chamber, Capitol
Albany,
NY 12224
Dear Governor Pataki:
I am very concerned about the proposed plan to build new entrances for the Christopher and 9th Street PATH stations. The proposed locations, on Christopher Street near Bedford Street and Waverly Place, are on narrow side streets flanked by historic structures, some nearly 200 years old. Inserting PATH entrances at these locations could have a significant impact on pedestrian and vehicular traffic in the area. The existing PATH entrances, by contrast, are located on broad major avenues.
I understand that PATH has serious safety concerns it seeks to address. However, impacts on the community in which the entrances will be located, and the appropriateness of the particular locations chosen, must also be considered. I ask that other, more appropriate locations be considered, along with other options, such as emergency-only exits.
So far, unfortunately, PATH has refused to provide the information to substantiate the necessity of building entrances only at these locations. Instead, an “independent study” has been commissioned to look at possible alternatives, but PATH has refused to say what the parameters of the study are, or what its conclusions will be based upon. Without this information, there can be no confidence in the study’s efficacy.
Illogically, even during this “study period,” work on the project continues. This has included inappropriate boring work without a permit on Gay Street, one of the Village’s narrowest streets of fragile, historic structures. This hardly instills confidence in PATH’s ability and willingness to ensure that these streets and structures are preserved.
As the New York State Governor, you appoint six of the twelve members of the Port Authority’s governing board. As Governor, you also have responsibility for oversight of the historic preservation, construction, transportation, planning and public safety issues which this project will impact upon. On these bases, I believe that it is incumbent upon you to intervene in this project, to ensure that the legitimate neighborhood preservation concerns of this community are heard and addressed.
I ask that you seek an immediate halt to work on this project until these issues can be resolved. All reasonable options for addressing both safety needs and neighborhood preservation concerns should be considered before this project moves any farther forward.
Sincerely,
Mayor Michael Bloomberg
City Hall
New York, NY 10007
Dear Mayor Bloomberg:
I am very concerned about the proposed plan to build new entrances for the Christopher and 9th Street PATH stations. The proposed locations, on Christopher Street near Bedford Street and Waverly Place, are on narrow side streets flanked by historic structures, some nearly 200 years old. Inserting PATH entrances at these locations could have a significant impact on pedestrian and vehicular traffic in the area. The existing PATH entrances, by contrast, are located on broad major avenues.
I understand that PATH has serious safety concerns it seeks to address. However, impacts on the community in which the entrances will be located, and the appropriateness of the particular locations chosen, must also be considered. I ask that other, more appropriate locations be considered, along with other options, such as emergency-only exits.
So far, unfortunately, PATH has refused to provide the information to substantiate the necessity of building entrances only at these locations. Instead, an “independent study” has been commissioned to look at possible alternatives, but PATH has refused to say what the parameters of the study are, or what its conclusions will be based upon. Without this information, there can be no confidence in the study’s efficacy.
Illogically, even during this “study period,” work on the project continues. This has included inappropriate boring work without a permit on Gay Street, one of the Village’s narrowest streets of fragile, historic structures. This hardly instills confidence in PATH’s ability and willingness to ensure that these streets and structures are preserved.
As New York City Mayor, you have responsibility for oversight of the historic preservation, construction, transportation, planning and public safety issues which this project will impact upon. Port Authority claims the right to move forward with this project without any outside approval, based simply upon a one-hundred year old agreement allowing construction of what is now known as the PATH system. As that agreement was between entities which no longer exist, the process for moving ahead with this project deserves a much closer degree of scrutiny. On these bases, I believe that it is incumbent upon you to intervene in this project, to ensure that it receives proper oversight and approval, and that the legitimate neighborhood preservation concerns of this community are heard and addressed.
I ask that you seek an immediate halt to work on this project until these issues can be resolved. All reasonable options for addressing both safety needs and neighborhood preservation concerns should be considered before this project moves any farther forward.
Sincerely,