Monday, December 5, 2011

Build That Subway to Staten Island Already.

Link: Build That Subway to Staten Island Already.

courtesy of Todd Heisler/The New York Times


A major development project for its waterfront could give Staten Island a much-needed boost, but the tide is taking young people from its shores.

‘Walkable’ Steps Into Spotlight

Link: ‘Walkable’ Steps Into Spotlight

courtesy of Kathy Kmonicek for The New York Times


A goal of more walkable communities is being pursued statewide by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

"The Kind of Big Thinking That New York Needs"

So the New York Times put out a fascinating piece about an ego-tripping proposal to extend Manhattan southwards to Governors Island.


The legendary lost kingdom of LoLo



It may be an impossible project, because there are strict regulations on building with landfill. Governors Island has also become a popular destination for recreation and arts events. But the project is the kind of big thinking that New York needs, said Vishaan Chakrabarti, the director of (the Center for Urban Real Estate at Columbia University) and the Marc Holliday associate professor of real estate development at Columbia.



The easy thing to do is to snicker at the audacity of it or shake your head in cynical disbelief, which no doubt many of our city leaders are doing now. But maybe this kind of audaciousness and hubris is what this city—and country—need to fire it’s imagination.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Sir, Your Private Rail Car Awaits You


And here I thought private rail cars went the way of roll-up desks and spats. The Washington Post did a nice piece about the last remaining private rail cars in America. Particularly about Chuck Jensen and his prized “Kitchi Gammi Club” (http://www.virginiarail.com/)


It’s heartening to know that some irreplaceable pieces of Americana are not just preserved and put on display, but actually put to use.