Funny, where I live in Bay Ridge which is grossly underserved by grocery stores, the chief complaint about the one or two that survive is there isn’t enough parking. And its not like we’re some rich suburb: over 50% of us don’t own a car. Nor do we have any large lots that are suitable for parking. But as usual the auto crowd is more effective at attracting attention to their demands.

Whole Foods obviously wants to attract motorists from all over the region. Otherwise they would have chosen a better location. So yes if I lived around there I would expect the traffic to skyrocket. I have to wonder at this recent suburban-style big box trend in that part of Brooklyn. Manhattan is full of big box stores that prove it can be done in an urban setting. Why does Brooklyn settle for so much less?

I’m impressed by the fact that the Post didn’t immediately pan the idea, though they did manage to find a cab driver who (naturally) objected. The Times article was practically gushing, though, and was sure to point out that Times Square businesses supported the idea.

I… I don’t even have the energy to get angry about the bridge tolls right now.

Duh. They’ve borrowed billions for massive over-runs, and not the capital budget will be gutted and the system will enter a downward spiral. How can anyone say this is an accident?

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/02/24/2009-02-24_f_train_to_frustration_f_g_subway_riders.html

“There is already a fair amount of dissatisfaction with the changes on Broadway, where large amounts of space have been expropriated,” Liu said.

I’ve been trying to give this guy the benefit of the doubt, but that comment is really just clueless and irresponsible. People already have to walk in the street in those areas because the sidewalks (which were expropriated from people decades ago) don’t have enough damn room. Open your eyes, John, and pay attention to your constituents who aren’t loudmouthed motorists.

Fine — do the reverse. Eliminate the subway to the Rockaways beyond Howard Beach, and bus service in the “beyond the subway” area Kruger represents and other “middle class” areas, while cutting commuter rail service, saving $400 million.

Why, then, should people in those areas pay the MTA taxes? Those taxes aren’t going to transportation. They are going where the entire state legislature has already decided they will go in a way that does not allow them (or their successors) to change their minds — debt service, pensions and retiree health care. Where do the beneficiaries of all that money live?