Comments on: Today’s Headlines http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/12/10/todays-headlines-545/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:07:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Cap'n Transit http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/12/10/todays-headlines-545/comment-page-1/#comment-60305 Cap'n Transit Thu, 11 Dec 2008 01:37:38 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5106#comment-60305 <blockquote>the wise leadership of that far-sighted Manhattan Institute</blockquote> Bwa ha ha!

the wise leadership of that far-sighted Manhattan Institute

Bwa ha ha!

]]> By: Niccolo Machiavelli http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/12/10/todays-headlines-545/comment-page-1/#comment-60298 Niccolo Machiavelli Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:04:40 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5106#comment-60298 If what you have been saying #7 is what Ms.Vitullo-Martin is saying then you are both wrong. The article is riddled with factual errors that really do not merit a response. If you share those beliefs, like selling the "lovely little former substation at 126 W. 53rd St." you would be selling something that you do not own. Little things like that ripple through this ridiculous piece. Worse though is the overall thrust. Of course the MTA owns property, so do I, a nice little brownstone in South Brooklyn. Last year when the price of oil was high I wisely chose not to sell my stoop to pay the bill. That in essence is what this absurd opinion piece advocates. Selling off capital assets to pay operating costs. These assets will be needed going forward with the capital plan and if the MTA needs to sell them for that capital plan, fine. But having a bunch of kibitzers, even under the wise leadership of that far-sighted Manhattan Institute, pretend that holding this real estate during a market collapse is why we have fare hikes and service cuts only serves to confuse the already befuddled readers and riders. Apparently you are one of them. If what you have been saying #7 is what Ms.Vitullo-Martin is saying then you are both wrong. The article is riddled with factual errors that really do not merit a response. If you share those beliefs, like selling the “lovely little former substation at 126 W. 53rd St.” you would be selling something that you do not own. Little things like that ripple through this ridiculous piece.

Worse though is the overall thrust. Of course the MTA owns property, so do I, a nice little brownstone in South Brooklyn. Last year when the price of oil was high I wisely chose not to sell my stoop to pay the bill. That in essence is what this absurd opinion piece advocates. Selling off capital assets to pay operating costs.

These assets will be needed going forward with the capital plan and if the MTA needs to sell them for that capital plan, fine. But having a bunch of kibitzers, even under the wise leadership of that far-sighted Manhattan Institute, pretend that holding this real estate during a market collapse is why we have fare hikes and service cuts only serves to confuse the already befuddled readers and riders. Apparently you are one of them.

]]> By: Sell 370 Jay http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/12/10/todays-headlines-545/comment-page-1/#comment-60273 Sell 370 Jay Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:20:53 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5106#comment-60273 How about that Daily News Op-Ed? That's what I've been saying! Trim the fat MTA! Sell 370, and whatever other vacant, valuable buildings you have and use that revenue for service. Or even better - Maintenance! http://mtapleasefixjay.blogspot.com/ How about that Daily News Op-Ed? That’s what I’ve been saying! Trim the fat MTA! Sell 370, and whatever other vacant, valuable buildings you have and use that revenue for service. Or even better – Maintenance!
http://mtapleasefixjay.blogspot.com/

]]> By: Car Free Nation http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/12/10/todays-headlines-545/comment-page-1/#comment-60255 Car Free Nation Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:11:07 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5106#comment-60255 The point I was making is that in these type of economic times, a visible purchase by a cyclist might stand out and help provide support to the DOT's efforts to make our streets friendlier for cyclists. Businesses need to know that bike friendly amenities (racks, valet, etc.) will lead to substantially more business... And those of us without cars should theoretically have $6,000/yr of extra spending money for local purchases. Here's a way that you can support a cause (better bike lanes) and purchase something for yourself (fresh fish). The point I was making is that in these type of economic times, a visible purchase by a cyclist might stand out and help provide support to the DOT’s efforts to make our streets friendlier for cyclists. Businesses need to know that bike friendly amenities (racks, valet, etc.) will lead to substantially more business…
And those of us without cars should theoretically have $6,000/yr of extra spending money for local purchases. Here’s a way that you can support a cause (better bike lanes) and purchase something for yourself (fresh fish).

]]> By: Larry Littlefield http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/12/10/todays-headlines-545/comment-page-1/#comment-60251 Larry Littlefield Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:51:46 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5106#comment-60251 The perception, and in the past perhaps the reality, is that those driving to a Manhattan destination have somewhat more money, and spend much, much more money, than those arriving by other means. Thus to these merchants one driver is worth ten bikers or subway riders, or 100 bus riders. My impression is the Audi and Escalade drivers don't have quite the money they used to, net of debts. I'm reminded of the early 1990s recession, when Donald Trump stepped out of a limousine, was asked for money by a homeless guy, and pointed out that the homeless guy had a higher "net" worth than he did. Wait until this time next year. No matter how much our children will be taxed to try to preserve it, the "living large" and "live richly" on borrowed money lifestyle is collapsing at warp speed. The perception, and in the past perhaps the reality, is that those driving to a Manhattan destination have somewhat more money, and spend much, much more money, than those arriving by other means.

Thus to these merchants one driver is worth ten bikers or subway riders, or 100 bus riders.

My impression is the Audi and Escalade drivers don’t have quite the money they used to, net of debts. I’m reminded of the early 1990s recession, when Donald Trump stepped out of a limousine, was asked for money by a homeless guy, and pointed out that the homeless guy had a higher “net” worth than he did.

Wait until this time next year. No matter how much our children will be taxed to try to preserve it, the “living large” and “live richly” on borrowed money lifestyle is collapsing at warp speed.

]]> By: Josh http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/12/10/todays-headlines-545/comment-page-1/#comment-60249 Josh Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:44:38 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5106#comment-60249 Obviously bike lanes make the travel/shopping experience more convenient and pleasant for cyclists; I don't think that was really ever a point of contention, was it? Obviously bike lanes make the travel/shopping experience more convenient and pleasant for cyclists; I don’t think that was really ever a point of contention, was it?

]]> By: Geck http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/12/10/todays-headlines-545/comment-page-1/#comment-60246 Geck Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:10:18 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5106#comment-60246 Or whetever Morellet Florent does next. Or whetever Morellet Florent does next.

]]> By: Geck http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/12/10/todays-headlines-545/comment-page-1/#comment-60244 Geck Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:59:12 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5106#comment-60244 I for one am looking forward to riding my bike over and enjoying a good meal at Restaurant Florent 69 Gansevoort St. I for one am looking forward to riding my bike over and enjoying a good meal at Restaurant Florent 69 Gansevoort St.

]]> By: Car Free Nation http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/12/10/todays-headlines-545/comment-page-1/#comment-60232 Car Free Nation Wed, 10 Dec 2008 14:43:32 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=5106#comment-60232 Bike paths can be great for business. The Grand Street lane makes a quick pick up of goods very easy. For example, last night, I pulled off the Grand Street bike path to one of the local stores that sells fresh fish. I picked up a couple of striped bass, and had them cleaned. The cost was $10 (which is a great deal for fresh fish) and I never had to leave my bike. There's no place to get fish in my neighborhood in Brooklyn, so this is very convenient. Anyone looking to get business support for the bike lanes should take a look at the shops that are now conveniently available to us on the lanes. Make a point of shopping and letting the vendors know how convenient the experience now is. Bike paths can be great for business. The Grand Street lane makes a quick pick up of goods very easy. For example, last night, I pulled off the Grand Street bike path to one of the local stores that sells fresh fish. I picked up a couple of striped bass, and had them cleaned. The cost was $10 (which is a great deal for fresh fish) and I never had to leave my bike. There’s no place to get fish in my neighborhood in Brooklyn, so this is very convenient.

Anyone looking to get business support for the bike lanes should take a look at the shops that are now conveniently available to us on the lanes. Make a point of shopping and letting the vendors know how convenient the experience now is.

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