Comments on: NYCTRC: What about an Adopt-A-Station program? http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/08/07/nyctrc-what-about-an-adopt-a-station-program/ A New York City Subway Blog Sun, 21 Mar 2010 05:18:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Alon Levy http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/08/07/nyctrc-what-about-an-adopt-a-station-program/#comment-43648 Alon Levy Sat, 09 Aug 2008 05:33:06 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=1140#comment-43648 Are you proposing to put a tax on buildings that are located near subway stops, but not those that are located far away from them? If so, it's a pretty backward way of thinking. We need to promote transit-oriented development, not tax it. Are you proposing to put a tax on buildings that are located near subway stops, but not those that are located far away from them? If so, it’s a pretty backward way of thinking. We need to promote transit-oriented development, not tax it.

]]> By: Angus Grieve-Smith http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/08/07/nyctrc-what-about-an-adopt-a-station-program/#comment-43632 Angus Grieve-Smith Sat, 09 Aug 2008 00:34:44 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=1140#comment-43632 In 2005, City Council Candidate Robyn Sklar tried to organize a station cleanup for a campaign event. The MTA told her it was absolutely forbidden. There should really be some way that individuals who want to donate their time can do so. In 2005, City Council Candidate Robyn Sklar tried to organize a station cleanup for a campaign event. The MTA told her it was absolutely forbidden. There should really be some way that individuals who want to donate their time can do so.

]]> By: Streetsblog » Today’s Headlines http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/08/07/nyctrc-what-about-an-adopt-a-station-program/#comment-43588 Streetsblog » Today’s Headlines Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:02:08 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=1140#comment-43588 [...] Post, AMNY, Politicker)Speculation Abounds on How Far MTA Will Take Corporate Sponsorship (Post)2nd Ave Sagas: The 'Adopt-a-Station' Model Deserves a ShotBronx Bus Riders Want Manhattan Stop Restored to Select [...] [...] Post, AMNY, Politicker)Speculation Abounds on How Far MTA Will Take Corporate Sponsorship (Post)2nd Ave Sagas: The ‘Adopt-a-Station’ Model Deserves a ShotBronx Bus Riders Want Manhattan Stop Restored to Select [...]

]]> By: Boris http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/08/07/nyctrc-what-about-an-adopt-a-station-program/#comment-43415 Boris Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:39:36 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=1140#comment-43415 I think the MTA will protest when asked to give up its monopoly over stations- and possibly reduce some stations' budgets, which are probably substantial but fail to provide needed services due to various financial black holes. So the creation of any trust funds, especially if they get a say in how to spend station impact fees (ie, earn more in wealthy neighborhoods and subsidize stations in poorer neighborhoods) will be problematic. I wonder if any study has been done relating station conditions and other variables. Are conditions correlated with presence of businesses vs. residential buildings vs. government offices, number of riders, etc? I think the MTA will protest when asked to give up its monopoly over stations- and possibly reduce some stations’ budgets, which are probably substantial but fail to provide needed services due to various financial black holes. So the creation of any trust funds, especially if they get a say in how to spend station impact fees (ie, earn more in wealthy neighborhoods and subsidize stations in poorer neighborhoods) will be problematic.

I wonder if any study has been done relating station conditions and other variables. Are conditions correlated with presence of businesses vs. residential buildings vs. government offices, number of riders, etc?

]]> By: Andy http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/08/07/nyctrc-what-about-an-adopt-a-station-program/#comment-43414 Andy Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:35:03 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=1140#comment-43414 I like this idea and feel like it can easily be integrated into a plan that involves several small solutions instead of one huge one. The fact is there is no quick and easy solution to our crumbling subway and an "anything and everything" approach needs to be used. Also what we need to do is change the policy of telling developers of buildings simply to build and maintain an escalator and area of egress and thats it. Then you get the situation like we have in Union Square where they never fix anything and the MTA then can't do anything because its the developers responsibility. Just have the building pay a tax for being so close to the subway and use that money in the best way possible. Did we REALLY need that overbuilt and fancy entrance to the downtown E and C trains at 50th street when the rest of the station complex is crumbling? There are many of these cases where the stations have grand and glorious entrances sponsored by a developer and then once you get IN the station there is poo on the floor and water dripping on your head. It's just a foolish policy. I like this idea and feel like it can easily be integrated into a plan that involves several small solutions instead of one huge one. The fact is there is no quick and easy solution to our crumbling subway and an “anything and everything” approach needs to be used. Also what we need to do is change the policy of telling developers of buildings simply to build and maintain an escalator and area of egress and thats it. Then you get the situation like we have in Union Square where they never fix anything and the MTA then can’t do anything because its the developers responsibility. Just have the building pay a tax for being so close to the subway and use that money in the best way possible. Did we REALLY need that overbuilt and fancy entrance to the downtown E and C trains at 50th street when the rest of the station complex is crumbling? There are many of these cases where the stations have grand and glorious entrances sponsored by a developer and then once you get IN the station there is poo on the floor and water dripping on your head. It’s just a foolish policy.

]]> By: Scott E http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/08/07/nyctrc-what-about-an-adopt-a-station-program/#comment-43408 Scott E Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:28:29 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=1140#comment-43408 That may be true, but if the businesses in more prosperous areas contribute to full station overhauls in their areas, the transit authority can divert some of those funds to fix the more pressing (safety, drainage) needs in othere areas of the system. The question is... would the local contributions be in the form of only money, or also in labor? We know that if the MTA is offered something for free, they will keep pushing for more and more until they (likely) mismanage it anyway. The proposed #7 extension is the closest example of this. To my knowledge, platform-edge doors, ten new trains, and a new/expanded rail yard in Queens weren't part of the city's initial offer. Two stations (not one) was. As a local developer, I'd be hesitant to drop some change in the "save the local station" paper cup unless I was sure it would be spent productively. That may be true, but if the businesses in more prosperous areas contribute to full station overhauls in their areas, the transit authority can divert some of those funds to fix the more pressing (safety, drainage) needs in othere areas of the system.

The question is… would the local contributions be in the form of only money, or also in labor? We know that if the MTA is offered something for free, they will keep pushing for more and more until they (likely) mismanage it anyway. The proposed #7 extension is the closest example of this. To my knowledge, platform-edge doors, ten new trains, and a new/expanded rail yard in Queens weren’t part of the city’s initial offer. Two stations (not one) was.

As a local developer, I’d be hesitant to drop some change in the “save the local station” paper cup unless I was sure it would be spent productively.

]]> By: Peter http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/08/07/nyctrc-what-about-an-adopt-a-station-program/#comment-43404 Peter Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:05:55 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=1140#comment-43404 Exactly right, Alon. As it is, Midtown developers reap the benefit of subsidized transportation that brings customers and employees to their buildings, and in return provide niggling benefits. The huge Conde Nast building is immediatly adjacent to the Times Sq Station complex, yet has no entrances providing access where that station needs them most, Northeast of Times Sq. Exactly right, Alon.
As it is, Midtown developers reap the benefit of subsidized transportation that brings customers and employees to their buildings, and in return provide niggling benefits. The huge Conde Nast building is immediatly adjacent to the Times Sq Station complex, yet has no entrances providing access where that station needs them most, Northeast of Times Sq.

]]> By: Alon Levy http://secondavenuesagas.com/2008/08/07/nyctrc-what-about-an-adopt-a-station-program/#comment-43403 Alon Levy Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:20:41 +0000 http://secondavenuesagas.com/?p=1140#comment-43403 The stations most in need of a facelift aren't located in neighborhoods where the locals have enough money for this kind of thing. I'm sure Upper West Siders will be thrilled to be able to direct more money to their own stations, but I'm pretty sure icons of blight like Chambers on the J will remain as they are. The stations most in need of a facelift aren’t located in neighborhoods where the locals have enough money for this kind of thing. I’m sure Upper West Siders will be thrilled to be able to direct more money to their own stations, but I’m pretty sure icons of blight like Chambers on the J will remain as they are.

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