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July Weekends 2 & 5 Bronx Service Suspended

Posted by
on June 28th, 2011 at 2:30 pm

Just a short time ago, MTA NYC Transit announced that every weekend in July will see service on the 2 Train & 5 Train suspended & replaced by shuttle buses between 149th Street-Grand Concourse & East 180th Street. Here are the details courtesy of the press release sent out:

MTA New York City Transit announced weekend service diversions on the 2 and 5 lines for the weekends of July 2-4, July 9-10, July 16-17 and July 23-24 due to track panel installation between Jackson Avenue and Freeman Street. During these weekends, there is no 2 train service between East 180th Street and 149th Street-Grand Concourse and no 5 service between East 180th Street and Bowling Green.

Shuttle trains operate between East 180th Street and Dyre Avenue all weekend. Free shuttle buses replace 2 and 5 trains between East 180th and 149th Street-Grand Concourse:

• Shuttle Bus #1: Operates in both directions, making all station stops.

• Shuttle Bus #2: Operates express (non-stop) in both directions.

(On the holiday weekend, 5 train service will resume at 6 p.m. on July 4th in time for traveling to the fireworks display in lower Manhattan.)

Customers may take the 4 between 149th Street-Grand Concourse and Bowling Green. (Note: On the holiday weekend, there is no 4 train service between Brooklyn Bridge and Utica Avenue until 5 a.m. Monday, July 4.)

xoxo Transit Blogger

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Service Diversions
0

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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0

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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0

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
0

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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Service Diversions