On first blush, these appear to be a few headlines with ferries as a common topic. On closer examination, however, they suggest an emerging theme. NYC Ferry has grown beyond being merely a means of scenic water transit and is becoming a critical part of New York City real estate landscape. In fact, growing demand among New Yorkers for commuting by ferry is starting to help determine where residential projects end up being clustered.
Menin declared victory right before Thanksgiving - earlier than any speaker candidate in New York history - but with weeks to go before the actual vote there is still time for Council members to reconsider. The "vote pledges" that Menin has in her pocket are worth only a little bit more than the press release they're printed on, and as one reporter once said about the shifting sands of these alliances, " politics ain't beanbag."
Under the new plan, South Brooklyn riders can look forward to a faster, one-seat ride straight to Midtown Manhattan, making the daily trip from Red Hook, Atlantic Avenue and Sunset Park more direct than ever before. The Soundview line from the Bronx will also merge with the Rockaway route, giving Bronx riders a one-seat trip to the beach while helping fill ferries that once ran nearly empty.
Previously, the St. George route on the NYC Ferry would only connect to western Manhattan, stopping at Battery Park City and Midtown West at Pier 79. Now, a second leg will be added to the route that will cross New York Harbor from the Island's North Shore to Bay Ridge, before continuing to the Atlantic Avenue stop at Brooklyn Bridge Park. The final stop on this leg of the route will be Wall Street at Pier 11. This will connect commuters from Staten Island to the rest of the NYC Ferry system, which mainly operates in the East River.
Residents in Canarsie, Brooklyn have long advocated for NYC Ferry service, viewing their neighborhood as a transportation desert with limited public transit options.
