PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Wayne Richards, Member of Public on NYC Ferry and Infrastructure
2:49:16
·
4 min
Wayne Richards presents a design concept for infrastructure development in the Rockaways, emphasizing the need for water taxi service along the peninsula. He argues that the current transportation options are insufficient for the growing population and that ferry service would improve access and economic opportunities in Far Rockaway.
- Proposes creating a promenade with water taxi stops along the bay side of the Rockaways
- Highlights the need for additional transportation options due to 10,000 new housing units in Far Rockaway
- Suggests extending water taxi service from Manhattan to Inwood and down to Rockaway Turnpike Boulevard to improve access and tourism
Wayne Richards
2:49:16
Hi.
2:49:17
Good afternoon.
2:49:18
Can you hear me?
Amanda Farías
2:49:20
Yes.
2:49:20
We can hear you.
Wayne Richards
2:49:22
Hi.
2:49:22
Good afternoon.
2:49:23
Okay.
2:49:25
I was asked to to do a testimony in reference to the infrastructure.
2:49:33
I thought that the infrastructure had to do it overall, but I see that you're narrowing it down.
2:49:41
You you're narrowing it down to just the transportation portion as far as the ferry is concerned.
Amanda Farías
2:49:49
So what I can clarify for you is this hearing is focused on the New York City ferry.
2:49:54
The infrastructure component can be the potentiality of the expansion of ferry landings throughout New York City.
2:50:00
As if you'd like to testify in regards to any of the current ferry stops, the challenges or successes of those ferry landings and ferry operations, and or the potentiality of the expansion of the infrastructure of ferry landings.
2:50:15
You may do so now.
Wayne Richards
2:50:16
Okay.
2:50:17
So I did a overall design concept in reference to infrastructure for the overall peninsula included in the infrastructure design concept.
2:50:28
I included the water taxi.
2:50:31
And so in it is part of the design concept that I prepared, Julien is a staff, Julian, has that information, and I guess if he wants to upload it or you guys can get it from Silvina.
2:50:48
But the design concept has to do with, you know, creating a promenade on.
2:50:52
But within that promenade also, we wanna create water taxi.
2:50:56
They're able to stop along the peninsula.
2:50:58
It's something that's highly needed.
2:51:00
And basically, what we're looking for, communities asking that the the the investment that was put on the beach side, we would like to now take the investment possibly do an investment to do it on the bay side, And so developing the bayside is a major infrastructure portion for this peninsula because we deal with high flooding issues and things of that nature, and we're trying to come up with all different ways to resolve those and working with the Army Corps Engineers, etcetera.
2:51:31
So as far as this is just a design concept, but my thing was to get the ferry because it's gonna highly needed.
2:51:38
We've now increased we have a lease I want to say maybe 10,000 new units just came into Far Rockaway, okay, on the peninsula loan.
2:51:48
So the bus service, the train service is not going to be enough.
2:51:52
We need two means of egress and another ways of transportation.
2:51:56
And having the the water taxi service coming all the way down even into Inwood because it will allow Manhattan to actually come all the way into Farakwa to Peninsula and come all the way down to Rockaway Turnpike Boulevard.
2:52:11
Next to the Ihop, if you will, was at the last stop, but it'll be another shopping area.
2:52:16
So people can actually come to our area and enjoy the things that we have here, just not the beaches.
2:52:23
We have a whole lot happening in far right away and on the peninsula.
2:52:26
And we would like to have the access so that people can use it because what current currently, what we do have is insufficient.
2:52:34
Obviously, we know about the trains, obviously, we know about the buses, and, you know, even with the the volunteer bus service that they have.
2:52:44
So if it's even lacking in that.
2:52:46
So if what else can I say is that it's something that we truly, truly need as far as the design concept and as far as getting the water tanks to fit here or work there?
2:52:57
I think I spoke to a gentleman from the Omnicolor engineers, one of the engines that think Sony was holding a rally, and I met him then expressed all those things to him my concepts.
2:53:08
And but the idea is there's more than one way to skin a cat, if you will.
2:53:12
So those guys that's doing the water taxis, those private owners, there's more than one way.
2:53:17
It's just a matter of designing.
2:53:20
At this point, that's pretty much my input, but it's such it's something that is truly needed.
2:53:24
And in particular, if you're talking about the 21st century of Faronco Way, this is one of the things that's gonna be highly needed.
2:53:32
I'd like to thank you at this time for allowing me to speak.