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May 16, 2002
Hon. George E. Pataki Dear Governor Pataki: As you can see from the attached correspondences, the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation is very concerned about the Port Authority’s station entrance expansion project proposed for Greenwich Village. There are very serious issues involved regarding quality of life, neighborhood and historic preservation, traffic and transportation, and congestion, which we believe the Port Authority is not addressing. The Port Authority has thus far not been willing to entertain any possibilities for alternative locations which could satisfy their needs while also addressing the needs and concerns of the surrounding community. No rationale has been given as to why such alternatives cannot be considered. We ask that you assist us in ensuring that this project not move forward until these very serious issues are fully addressed. Sincerely, Andrew Berman May 16, 2002 Hon. Michael Bloomberg Dear Mayor Bloomberg: As you can see from the attached correspondences, the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation is very concerned about the Port Authority’s station entrance expansion project proposed for Greenwich Village. There are very serious issues involved regarding quality of life, neighborhood and historic preservation, traffic and transportation, and congestion, which we believe the Port Authority is not addressing. The Port Authority has thus far not been willing to entertain any possibilities for alternative locations which could satisfy their needs while also addressing the needs and concerns of the surrounding community. No rationale has been given as to why such alternatives cannot be considered. We ask that you assist us in ensuring that this project not move forward until these very serious issues are fully addressed. Thank you. Sincerely, Andrew Berman May 16, 2002 Hon. Gale Norton Dear Secretary Norton: As you can see from the attached correspondences, the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation is very concerned about the Port Authority’s station entrance expansion project proposed for Greenwich Village. There are very serious issues involved regarding quality of life, neighborhood and historic preservation, traffic and transportation, and congestion, which we believe the Port Authority is not addressing. The Port Authority has thus far not been willing to entertain any possibilities for alternative locations which could satisfy their needs while also addressing the needs and concerns of the surrounding community. No rationale has been given as to why such alternatives cannot be considered. We ask that you assist us in ensuring that this project not move forward until these very serious issues are fully addressed. Thank you. Sincerely, Andrew Berman May 16, 2002 Hon. Bernadette Castro Dear Commissioner Castro: As you can see from the attached correspondences, the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation is very concerned about the Port Authority’s station entrance expansion project proposed for Greenwich Village. There are very serious issues involved regarding quality of life, neighborhood and historic preservation, traffic and transportation, and congestion, which we believe the Port Authority is not addressing. The Port Authority has thus far not been willing to entertain any possibilities for alternative locations which could satisfy their needs while also addressing the needs and concerns of the surrounding community. No rationale has been given as to why such alternatives cannot be considered. We ask that you assist us in ensuring that this project not move forward until these very serious issues are fully addressed. Thank you. Sincerely, Andrew Berman May 16, 2002 Hon. Iris Weinshall Dear Commissioner Weinshall: As you can see from the attached correspondences, the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation is very concerned about the Port Authority’s station entrance expansion project proposed for Greenwich Village. There are very serious issues involved regarding quality of life, neighborhood and historic preservation, traffic and transportation, and congestion, which we believe the Port Authority is not addressing. The Port Authority has thus far not been willing to entertain any possibilities for alternative locations which could satisfy their needs while also addressing the needs and concerns of the surrounding community. No rationale has been given as to why such alternatives cannot be considered. We ask that you assist us in ensuring that this project not move forward until these very serious issues are fully addressed. Thank you. Sincerely, Andrew Berman May 16, 2002 Hon. Sherida E. Paulsen Dear Commissioner Paulsen: As you can see from the attached correspondences, the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation is very concerned about the Port Authority’s station entrance expansion project proposed for Greenwich Village. There are very serious issues involved regarding quality of life, neighborhood and historic preservation, traffic and transportation, and congestion, which we believe the Port Authority is not addressing. The Port Authority has thus far not been willing to entertain any possibilities for alternative locations which could satisfy their needs while also addressing the needs and concerns of the surrounding community. No rationale has been given as to why such alternatives cannot be considered. We ask that you assist us in ensuring that this project not move forward until these very serious issues are fully addressed. Thank you. Sincerely, Andrew Berman GVSHP has also solicited and received the support of Congress Member Jerrold Nadler, State Senator Thomas K. Duane, Assembly Member Deborah Glick, and City Council Member Christine C. Quinn. Below are copies of letters received in response: May 9, 2002 Jack G. Sinagra, Chairman Dear Mr. Sinagra: We are writing to express our strong opposition to current plans to build new entrances to the PATH train stations at Christopher Street and West 9th Street in Greenwich Village. We are opposed to these plans and have very serious concerns about the impact that this construction will have on the quality of life in this neighborhood, on the historic buildings around the proposed sites, and on pedestrian and vehicular traffic in the area. We also strongly object to the exclusion of the community from involvement in the decision to expand these stations. Plans to construct two new PATH entrances on Christopher Street will seriously endanger the quality of life in the neighborhood exacerbating existing problems such as overcrowding, loitering, and obstruction of the sidewalks. Unfortunately, even the current Path Train entrances have had a significant negative impact on the community. Two new entrances would have the potential to magnify existing quality of life problems and create further problems in the Village. Many of the buildings near the proposed stations are over one hundred years old, and could be damaged by construction of the stations. Since the Port Authority has not conducted an environmental impact review, these potential impacts have not been sufficiently examined. While we understand the Port Authority intends to do building stability studies, we are concerned that the project has not been subject to a more public review. We also are concerned that the project has advanced so far in the planning process without having completed the appropriate studies. We are also concerned about the effects this project will have on pedestrian and vehicular traffic in this extremely crowded neighborhood. During construction, vehicular traffic, including city buses, will likely be diverted to Charles Street at certain times. This will significantly impact this residential street, and exacerbate the serious traffic problems that already exist in Greenwich Village. Plans for using metal plating on Christopher Street during construction will also create noise problems for the community as traffic passes over the plates. We also object to the lack of community involvement in the decision making process for this project. While we appreciate the willingness of the Port Authority to present their plans, it is unfortunate that community input was only sought after the decision had already been made to go forward with the project. Projects such as this, with the potential to have significant impacts on the communities in which they are located, need to be subject to a much more inclusive public review process. For these reasons, we urge you in the strongest possible way to reconsider your current plans for constructing two new PATH station entrances on Christopher Street and West 9th Street. We look forward to hearing from you regarding this important matter. Sincerely, Thomas K. Duane, State Senator |