Comments on: At Hudson Yards, waiting for Related

By: Alon Levy

Alon Levy — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:03:43 +0000

The redevelopment of Hudson Yards (or Atlantic Yards, or Sunnyside Yards, or anywhere else there’s room) would actually be a good idea if it weren’t such a giveaway to big developers. The city could map streets over the yards and sell them to small-time owners lot by lot, with liberal zoning to allow experimentation.

Not everything has to involve collusion between big business and the politicians it buys.

By: Alon Levy

Alon Levy — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 23:36:17 +0000

For people whose destination is on the East Side, SAS would not be too useful. But not everyone works on the East Side. SAS is going to be the first direct line from the UES to West Midtown.

SAS isn’t “a connection to the BMT Broadway trains.” It’s a one-seat ride on the Q, and a cross-platform transfer to the N, R/W, and F. There’s a difference.

By: Veritas

Veritas — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:57:41 +0000

The plan for Phase I is to extend the Q train past its current terminus at 57th St/7th Ave. The Q will run east on 63rd St, stop at Lexington Ave, then continue east then travel up 2nd Avenue.

By: Benjamin Kabak

Benjamin Kabak — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:57:39 +0000

You’re correct. Phase 1 of the SAS will bring the Q train north to 96th St. It will provide a one-seat ride from Second Ave. on the UES to, say, Union Sq. but south of 63rd St., that ride will be via the BMT Broadway line.

By: Scott E

Scott E — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:40:37 +0000

Nope. Phase 1 is just going from 63rd/Lex to 72nd, 86th, and 96th on Second Ave. Phase 2 brings it up to 106th and 115th on Second Ave and to the existing 125th/Lex station of the 4-5-6.

Not until Phase 4 will the subway go all the way downtown.

By: Older and Wiser

Older and Wiser — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:36:42 +0000

Correct me if I’m wrong, but my understanding was that the initial segment of the Second Avenue line would provide through trains beyond 63rd street all the way downtown via existing letter-line trackage, just not via 2nd avenue in the beginning.

By: Boris

Boris — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:53:52 +0000

I don’t think there is any special fund to pay back the bondholders (is there ever?). Money would just be paid out of general revenues. Just like the other “socialism for the rich” projects of recent decades, the developers and bondholders are guaranteed to get paid, while taxpayers may or may not see any benefits, because actual contracts are stronger than the social contract.

By: Russell Warshay

Russell Warshay — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:38:21 +0000

That’s the hole in the plan. I believe that the city is then liable.

By: Veritas

Veritas — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:32:05 +0000

What happens if there is not enough development to pay back the bondholders?

By: Russell Warshay

Russell Warshay — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:29:18 +0000

When was the last time that you were on the 4/5/6, between 59th and 86th, during rush hour in the rush hour direction? These lines are packed. Rolling sardine cans. The SAS will draw riders off of the Lex and ease the congestion. Dwell times will decrease, so capacity on the Lex will go up.