Comments on: Downtown residents want Fulton St. hub http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/02/12/downtown-residents-want-fulton-st-hub/ A New York City Subway Blog Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:35:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Second Ave. Sagas | Blogging the NYC Subways » Blog Archive » Thirty days hath the MTA’s Fulton St. calendar http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/02/12/downtown-residents-want-fulton-st-hub/#comment-35748 Second Ave. Sagas | Blogging the NYC Subways » Blog Archive » Thirty days hath the MTA’s Fulton St. calendar Fri, 16 May 2008 14:16:26 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/02/12/downtown-residents-want-fulton-st-hub/#comment-35748 [...] that the transit hub would be scaled back because of skyrocketed costs. Fulton St. residents objected and the MTA promised something in March and then, um, something in April. The only problem was that [...] [...] that the transit hub would be scaled back because of skyrocketed costs. Fulton St. residents objected and the MTA promised something in March and then, um, something in April. The only problem was that [...]

]]> By: Marc Shepherd http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/02/12/downtown-residents-want-fulton-st-hub/#comment-25246 Marc Shepherd Wed, 13 Feb 2008 15:16:56 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/02/12/downtown-residents-want-fulton-st-hub/#comment-25246 I don't think so, Peter. The project already was divided up into multiple RFPs. The trouble is that the building, as designed, is not particularly attractive for retail. That was never its purpose. The design maximizes light and open space. It looks wonderful, but as a strictly commercial proposition it doesn't really add up. If you need an analogy, look at Grand Central Terminal. That soaring structure wouldn't get built today if it had to be justified in commercial terms. For your idea to work, the design would need to be scrapped in favor of something better suited to retail—something that can be justified as a business venture. That's the most likely outcome at this point. I don’t think so, Peter. The project already was divided up into multiple RFPs. The trouble is that the building, as designed, is not particularly attractive for retail. That was never its purpose. The design maximizes light and open space. It looks wonderful, but as a strictly commercial proposition it doesn’t really add up. If you need an analogy, look at Grand Central Terminal. That soaring structure wouldn’t get built today if it had to be justified in commercial terms.

For your idea to work, the design would need to be scrapped in favor of something better suited to retail—something that can be justified as a business venture. That’s the most likely outcome at this point.

]]> By: Peter http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/02/12/downtown-residents-want-fulton-st-hub/#comment-25229 Peter Wed, 13 Feb 2008 13:23:47 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/02/12/downtown-residents-want-fulton-st-hub/#comment-25229 I believe the RFP you refer to Marc is the one for construction. of the entire project. What I should probably have made clearer is that I expect that another solicitation, for construction and long-term leasing of the retail and commercial portions of the building would probably garner many respondants, and partially solve the cost overrun - budget problem. I believe the RFP you refer to Marc is the one for construction. of the entire project. What I should probably have made clearer is that I expect that another solicitation, for construction and long-term leasing of the retail and commercial portions of the building would probably garner many respondants, and partially solve the cost overrun - budget problem.

]]> By: Peter http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/02/12/downtown-residents-want-fulton-st-hub/#comment-25230 Peter Wed, 13 Feb 2008 13:23:47 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/02/12/downtown-residents-want-fulton-st-hub/#comment-25230 I believe the RFP you refer to Marc is the one for construction. of the entire project. What I should probably have made clearer is that I expect that another solicitation, for construction and long-term leasing of the retail and commercial portions of the building would probably garner many respondants, and partially solve the cost overrun - budget problem. I believe the RFP you refer to Marc is the one for construction. of the entire project. What I should probably have made clearer is that I expect that another solicitation, for construction and long-term leasing of the retail and commercial portions of the building would probably garner many respondants, and partially solve the cost overrun - budget problem.

]]> By: Gary http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/02/12/downtown-residents-want-fulton-st-hub/#comment-25017 Gary Tue, 12 Feb 2008 19:57:11 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/02/12/downtown-residents-want-fulton-st-hub/#comment-25017 Marc's right. Ben, I'm told that your ladder idea was a non-starter due to safety reasons, but the MTA is studying an alternative with TWO ladders, one for egress and one for entry. But damn it, this thing needs to get built and get built right. Who is the Congessman from this district? Where is Schumer? Where is Clinton? Where is Rudy, Mayor of 9/11? Someone ought to be demagoguing this issue in the press (but on the side of spending the necessary money, for once.) Marc’s right.

Ben, I’m told that your ladder idea was a non-starter due to safety reasons, but the MTA is studying an alternative with TWO ladders, one for egress and one for entry.

But damn it, this thing needs to get built and get built right. Who is the Congessman from this district? Where is Schumer? Where is Clinton? Where is Rudy, Mayor of 9/11?

Someone ought to be demagoguing this issue in the press (but on the side of spending the necessary money, for once.)

]]> By: Marc Shepherd http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/02/12/downtown-residents-want-fulton-st-hub/#comment-24940 Marc Shepherd Tue, 12 Feb 2008 13:40:47 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/02/12/downtown-residents-want-fulton-st-hub/#comment-24940 I believe the MTA already <em>did</em> request proposals. They received only one bid, and it was considerably higher than the budget. That's the problem. I believe the MTA already did request proposals. They received only one bid, and it was considerably higher than the budget. That’s the problem.

]]> By: Peter http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/02/12/downtown-residents-want-fulton-st-hub/#comment-24938 Peter Tue, 12 Feb 2008 13:11:24 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/02/12/downtown-residents-want-fulton-st-hub/#comment-24938 I think the simplest solution (bearing in mind that NOTHING in NYC is ever simple) is to have the MTA request proposals from entities willing to build the hub to the original design. I think the simplest solution (bearing in mind that NOTHING in NYC is ever simple) is to have the MTA request proposals from entities willing to build the hub to the original design.

]]>