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If I recall correctly, the 7 line extension was also built under the same premise of increased property taxes.
There is over $20 billion going in developing the Hudson yard. It going to take a while before it is completed. NYC population continues to increase every year people are going to keep coming and it best to be proactive in building housing and commerce otherwise more people will continue to get displaced.
It is not a big assumption at all. The majority of the waterfront is under developed land that was previously zones as industrial. Developers have been buying the land and will build new construction around the streetcar line. Affluent people don't like riding dirty buses and this locations are a good half to a full mile away from any subway stop. If you want to increase the value of the area you need better infrastructure. Developers want to sell and rent the properties at top dollar and government wants to tax the area at top dollar so it is mutual beneficial to everyone in the area.
And what's to say that only affluent people will be riding these trams? The rest of us dirty common po' folks may also be interested!
The neighborhoods in question are already quite attractive. Other areas have more pressing transportation needs.
And they will be more attractive with the streetcar line. Building the streetcar line doesn't mean that other areas aren't getting new transportation options. Penn Station Access will build 4 new Metro North stations in the Bronx on a line that goes directly into Penn Station, and one new station on 125th and the west side of Manhattan, and one on 72nd Street.
MTA is doing rail activation studies in Staten Island and in Queens (Rockaway Beach LIRR reactivation).
And they will be more attractive with the streetcar line. Building the streetcar line doesn't mean that other areas aren't getting new transportation options. Penn Station Access will build 4 new Metro North stations in the Bronx on a line that goes directly into Penn Station, and one new station on 125th and the west side of Manhattan, and one on 72nd Street.
MTA is doing rail activation studies in Staten Island and in Queens (Rockaway Beach LIRR reactivation).
But it's $2.5 billion that can be spent on something more worthy where you get more bang for the buck.
The neighborhoods in question are already quite attractive. Other areas have more pressing transportation needs.
I agree. The only thing I'd write to counter is that the price-tag of a project like this isn't so outrageous that we won't see this being expanded to such areas. But I feel like a strong "pilot" along a route that already has much of the infrastructure set up (i.e. "abandoned" rail tracks) will make getting this project expanded to other needier areas more likely.
By the way, there was a related study a few years back that the NYC DOT and their consultant performed. Their conclusion? A streetcar in Red Hook would not be feasible and cost too much for the few additional transit riders it would generate. Granted, I haven't done a side by side comparison of the two proposals yet, but it does seem a bit odd.
I agree. The only thing I'd write to counter is that the price-tag of a project like this isn't so outrageous that we won't see this being expanded to such areas. But I feel like a strong "pilot" along a route that already has much of the infrastructure set up (i.e. "abandoned" rail tracks) will make getting this project expanded to other needier areas more likely.
The rails are a tiny fraction of the overall cost. Theres the rolling stock, the power, signals and utility relocation. Everything that's underneath these tracks have to be relocated so they can be accessible for maintenance down the road without ripping up the streetcar line.
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