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Metro-North Wants To Develop Around Harrison

Posted by
on June 27th, 2011 at 3:45 pm

The MTA Metro-North Railroad is looking to spice things up in Harrison. Their goal is to create a transit oriented development project around the Harrison train station. Here are more details courtesy of a press release sent out earlier:

MTA Metro-North Railroad is issuing its first solicitation for a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) at the Harrison Station to improve access to trains by replacing three surface parking lots
with a mixed-use development that includes retail space and housing units wrapped around a new parking structure.

The project also is intended to serve as a catalyst for downtown revitalization in Harrison. It enjoys broad support from the community, the local government and the New York State Department of State, which awarded a Smart Growth Grant to aid this TOD Project.

“We have branded this project ‘It’s Happening in Harrison,’ because we believe this project – when realized – will create a sustainable, lively, walkable and vital development that will expand and complement the existing village hub at the same time it increases access to trains and reduces reliance on single occupancy vehicles,” said Metro-North President Howard Permut. “Leveraging our assets and creating a public-private partnership will be a win for the Village, the Railroad and the selected developer. During this time of fiscal constraints, we are making every dollar count by finding creative ways to finance our capital investments.”

“For many years, Town officials have sought to improve the downtown business area, to bring in a wider variety of stores, to make it a destination for residents,” said Harrison Mayor Joan Walsh. “This project comes at just the right time, when there is a trend toward living in a downtown area with the added attraction of the railroad being so close, and with the economy showing signs of improving. With the mix of apartments, retail and ample parking, Harrison’s downtown area is going to be the vibrant, attractive area officials have long sought. We have been very pleased to work with the MTA on this project. It has been years in the planning, and it is indeed a win-win for everyone.”

The site consists of slightly more than three acres of property owned by MTA Metro-North Railroad currently used as commuter parking. The railroad, working with the Real Estate Department of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, intends to use the property to facilitate expanded access to the station. The amount of commuter parking will be doubled, from 255 to about 500 spaces to address needs on this segment of the New Haven Line. A significant amount of additional shopper parking and shared parking will be accommodated on the site.

The Request for Proposals, which will be released July 8 on the MTA website, is the culmination of a collaborative effort between Metro-North and the Town of Harrison over several years. In 2009, Metro-North and the Town memorialized its understanding regarding this transaction in an MTA Board-approved, pre-development Memorandum of Understanding. Last month the Town board unanimously passed a resolution in support of the TOD solicitation.

Advertisements announcing release of the development RFP for a TOD at Harrison Station will be appearing in both national and local publications starting today.

This sounds like an interesting concept that would help boost the local economy & make the station more appealing for use. It will be interesting to see how far the agency can take this project in these tough economic times.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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MTA Board Welcomes Two New Members

Posted by
on June 27th, 2011 at 1:50 pm

Earlier today, the MTA announced the addition of two new members to its board. Here are the details courtesy of the press release sent out:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today welcomed two new members to its Board: Jonathan A. Ballan, an attorney from Westchester County who specializes in public authority finance, and Fernando Ferrer, the former Bronx Borough President.

Mr. Ferrer is one of New York City’s best-known and most accomplished political figures. Born and raised in the South Bronx, Mr. Ferrer served in the New York City Council from 1982 to 1987 before being elected Bronx Borough President from 1987 through 2001. During his 14-year tenure as borough president, he created housing for about 66,000 families. The borough saw a significant drop in crime, particularly in the South Bronx, and a steady rise in business and real estate investment.

In 2005, Mr. Ferrer became the first Latino to the win the Democratic Party nomination for New York City Mayor. He served as President of the Drum Major Institute for Public Policy, a non-profit, progressive think tank dedicated to economic and social justice. He served on the board of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity, and chaired the board of the Banana Kelly Community Improvement Association.

Mr. Ferrer is Co-Chairman and a Partner at Mercury, a high-stakes public strategy firm. In addition, he serves as a director of Sterling Bancorp, Sterling National Bank and the Regional Plan Association.

He was nominated to serve on the MTA Board by Governor Cuomo, and he was confirmed by the New York State Senate on June 15. He succeeds Doreen Frasca, who joined the Board in 2008. His term expires on June 30, 2016.

Mr. Ballan is a member of the law firm of Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., where he heads the firm’s New York Public Finance practice group. His law practice involves municipal finance, public authority finance, economic development, project finance and privatization. He has broad experience developing innovative legal structures for financings for numerous state and local governments.

In addition to his law practice, Mr. Ballan has served for many years in a number of significant governmental positions, including as Chairman of the Municipal Assistance Corporation for the City of New York, Chairman of the New York State Public Asset Fund, and Board Member and Chairman of the Capital Committee of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation.

Mr. Ballan earned his B.A., magna cum laude, from Williams College, and his J.D. from George Washington University National Law Center. He is married, has four children and lives in Scarsdale. He has been active in coaching children in local soccer, basketball and baseball leagues.

Mr. Ballan was recommended by Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino, nominated by Governor Cuomo and on June 7 confirmed by the New York State Senate. He succeeds Donald Cecil, who joined the Board in 2005. Mr. Ballan’s term expires June 30, 2015.

MTA Board members receive no compensation for their service.

Do we really need more board members whose main background does not stem from running mass transit operations? While the resumes of the new members seem impressive on paper, it does not translate to the right people for the job in my honest opinion. Hopefully they prove me wrong but I am not holding my breath.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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Service Diversions 06-27-11

Posted by
on June 27th, 2011 at 5:01 am

I have just updated the Service Diversions by removing all of the weekend work that wrapped up by a minute ago. The planned work for this week & beyond in some cases has been moved to the forefront.

I suggest printing out a copy before heading to your destination. If you have an internet capable handheld device, you can use it to access the mobile version of this site.

The diversions will have minor updates as scheduled ones drop off. The next complete update will be sometime on Thursday after I received the planned weekend diversions from the MTA directly.

While out traveling, if I notice or hear any changes, I will update them on the twitter feed so don’t forget to follow @TransitBlogger today which you can do by clicking the button in the sidebar.

As always, stay safe & have a wonderful week.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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Service Diversions 06-23-11

Posted by
on June 23rd, 2011 at 7:50 pm

I have just updated the Service Diversions with the latest planned work for the upcoming weekend, next week, & beyond (in some cases).

Metro-North Railroad riders who use the Pascack Valley line, please be aware that buses will replace trains due to construction. Click here for complete information.

For those who plan on riding the 7, please be aware that service is suspended between Times Square & Queensboro Plaza. Click here for complete information.

I suggest printing out a copy before heading to your destination. If you have an internet capable handheld device, use it to access Transit Blogger’s mobile site.

While out traveling, if I notice or hear any changes, I will update them on the twitter feed so don’t forget to follow @TransitBlogger today which you can do by clicking the button in the sidebar.

The next full update will be at 5:01 AM Monday when all weekend work will be removed. Any minor updates will take place on the page as it is updated daily but will not be noted in an entry.

As always, have a safe & wonderful weekend!

xoxo Transit Blogger

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7 Line Work Continues This Weekend

Posted by
on June 23rd, 2011 at 7:45 pm

About an hour or so ago, MTA NYC Transit issued a press release highlighting the major work on the 7 Train this weekend that will see service suspended between Times Square & Queensboro Plaza:

This coming weekend marks the second of three planned service suspensions on the No. 7 Line between Queensboro Plaza and Times Square. Utilizing the period between late Friday night and early Monday morning will give us the opportunity to continue addressing problems that have caused service delays over the past several months.

There will be no No. 7 subway service between Times Square and Queensboro Plaza from 11:30 p.m. Friday, June 24 through 5 a.m., Monday, June 27. During this period, customers are encouraged to use N, R, E or F service for travel between Queens and Manhattan. Free shuttle buses will be available between the Queensboro Plaza (N, 7) and Vernon Boulevard-Jackson Avenue (7) stations, making stops at Queens Plaza (E, R), Court Square (7) and Hunters Point (7). In addition, the 42nd Street (S) shuttle will operate through the overnight hours. The next scheduled weekend suspension is July 29-August 1.

“The work that we are performing along the Flushing Line is vital to our goal of increasing the reliability and performance of one of the busiest and oldest lines in the entire system,” said NYC Transit President Thomas Prendergast. “Hand-in-hand with that effort, however, is the real need to keep our riders informed of what’s going on while these projects are underway.”

To help keep riders informed of these service changes and the work that is being performed, the MTA has launched a new communications effort under the heading, Building a Better 7 Line for You. The colorful brochure explains the project, gives helpful service alternatives and explains the long-range work to the Flushing Line.

Included in the material is a detailed map outlining the service changes, the availability of alternate services and the locations of the stops for the free shuttle buses. We have also created a poster spotlighting area shops and designed to let everyone know that Long Island City is open for business. The poster spotlights the best ways to get there when the 7 is suspended. But just as important to our customers is an explanation of the work. This information will also be available on posters in stations and onboard trains in four languages: English, Spanish, Chinese and Korean. Customers are also urged to listen to description of the work detailed on a podcast available at http://transittrax.mta.info/audio/transittrax.htm.

In order to correct signal issues that have affected the line’s reliability, workers will continue upgrading signal components and replacing wiring and signal circuits. New fasteners are being installed and a major clean-up of the roadbed is being performed to correct damage caused by water infiltration. The power system is being upgraded and a comprehensive tunnel wash is being completed. Service must be suspended during this work due to space restrictions within the Steinway under river tube.

This work will eliminate a key cause of the recent delays, providing some near-term relief. However, a longer-term project to install a state-of-the-art signaling system is also underway and this project will require further service suspensions this fall. Updated communications will be issued when those service diversions are scheduled.

xoxo Transit Blogger

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