Gothamist: What's in the Port Authority Bus Terminal's Name?

Not Amused

Wed, 08 Nov 2006 07:41:26 -0500

What's in a name you say ? "Money of course" I think the new name for the Port Authority should be by a reputable company . In reality the company that gets to stake it's claim will be a company like say "Wrigleys chewing gum" {TM}, Or maybe "Kelloggs Frosted Flakes"{TM} . I can diffinitly see that happening to the Port Authority Building . Maybe they'll handout bowls of cereal once a week for the passengers.

anonymass

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 21:55:13 -0500

While I'm about the last person in the world who would want to take an example from the Soviets, in the 30s they did lionize laborer Aleksei Stakhanov, eventually turning Stakhanovite into an adjective describing over-achievement. It would be nice for a change to honor the people that do their jobs inside the building in a metaphorical way (i.e. through an identifiable fictional character) rather than pimping off the naming rights to whatever fly-by-night concern that cares to waste its cash on such a stupid endeavor. Does anyone even call that building on Park Ave. the Met Life building? I still call it the Pan Am building. Naming rights seem like an ill-advised investment in NYC. How 'bout the Roger Toussaint Bus Terminal?

minha

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 20:49:25 -0500

I've got a name! Purgatory. The 42nd street Port Authority has this surreal quality to it. It's not *quite* Manhattan, but it's definately not NJ, or whatever state you just came from, and it's full of zombified commuters. The hissing coming from underground just adds to the image. Therefore: Purgatory. PS: I don't think the fung wah stops there?

an Adirondacker

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 17:47:21 -0500

Offtopic, but needs to be said: I fucking love that Bowling Alley/Bar. When I'm waiting for one of those fantastic northbound buses, I head on over to the retro 70's bowling alley to have a few drinks. Once you get past the bouncers who pat you down for guns and knives, it's a pretty cool place. They also had another bar on the ground floor of the terminal which was awesome, but I think it's been closed for some time. Hopefully it won't be permanent...

edEx

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 16:56:07 -0500

#17, Dave H. GREAT IDEA!

Dave H.

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 16:45:51 -0500

EricGewiz

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 16:08:29 -0500

Dave H. Thank you - this is exactly what type of idea I was talking about.

Dave H.

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 16:05:08 -0500

To match the statue standing out in front, they should name it the "Ralph Kramden Bus Terminal". There's no more-famous NYC bus driver than Jackie Gleason's character. It's an homage without being a pork-barrelled tribute to some corrupt politician. And there's appropriately a bowling alley inside. I'd rather say "I'm taking a bus out of the Kramden" than the same out of some lame politician's name. Let's honor an archetype of the prototypical working person that personifies what goes on inside the building rather than slapping some corporate name on the outside of an already regrettable piece of architecture.

edEx

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 15:47:26 -0500

#8: I wasn't comparing The Port Authority Bus terminal to GCT's architectural gem. I was stating that it would not be impossible if a corp came to name and own—to heavily renovate the Port Authority. It can be done. Mostly what needs to be done is the complete removal of the criminals of the area. It's a haven for bums and pocket thieves. Washinton National (now known as Reagan International), was named after the city which was named after the man, George Washinton. Penn Station is named after Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) and further down the historical line it's origin was William Penn.

all in a name

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 15:05:24 -0500

Isn't Penn Station named after Pennsylvania which is named for William Penn? It isn't the same thing as being directly named for Penn. Same thing as Washington National Airport was named for the city, not the man.

kevin bracken

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 14:59:44 -0500

I didn't know it wasn't still called the meadowlands until right now. This sounds fine, but I really wouldn't like to see it extend to subway stations, ick. Penn Station (all 4[?] of them) are named after a great Northeasterner. it would be nice to see other stations follow this pattern.

EricGewiz

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 14:51:03 -0500

again - no... Shea Stadium is named after the lawyer who helped get the team started in the first place. Granted, there's no person like that, probably, who was solely responsible for creating the Bus Terminal....but again, I just meant in general, naming something after someone, rather than naming it after a corporation b/c of money. Memorial's of this kind used to mean something.

fb

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 14:46:18 -0500

As long as they can clean up the nasty odors and keep the platforms clean and air conditioned, then I'm all for it. Sometimes I don't get how the best city in the world has the grossest subway system.

pork barrel

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 14:42:28 -0500

How about we name it after a dead President with no real connection to New York, like our airport?

EricGewiz

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 13:14:51 -0500

pork barrell congressman: No - and I'm not suggesting naming it after a politico....I just meant in general.

Guy

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 13:04:14 -0500

NYC should name it after Robert Moses. You know, for that whole urban blight connection.

bob

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 12:51:10 -0500

edEx.... perhaps the word you are looking for to describe what Grand Central Terminal HAS but is totally lacking at Port Authority is "Architecture". -much like porn, most people know it when they see it and these days nobody wants to pay for it unless they can put a rooftop pool on it and a play room in it and sell it for upwards of $1100/sqft....anybody remember "museum quality loft (like) residences"?...http://www.astorplacenyc.com/index_flash.html -and that ain't even Architecture.

edEx

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 12:41:53 -0500

Arm and Hammer Bus n Travel Center Maybe they can strike a deal with the port authority and clean that shit-hole up. That area of manhattan is a total shit fest. why can't they do the same thing with that place that they did with grand central? grand central used to be a total hole in the wall shit stinking train station... why oh why?

pork barrel congressmen

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 12:36:18 -0500

Call me crazy, but I actually liked the days when big public buildings (bus terminals, stadiums, etc.) were named after people As long as their political beliefs match yours, right?

anonymass

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 12:31:10 -0500

What company in its collective right mind would want its name associated with the most depressing location in the tri-state area?

Mark

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 12:24:44 -0500

How about Duane Reade Bus Terminal? Then waiting on line for 20 minutes to buy a ticket will be the short line-waiting experience ever for a Duane Reade customer.

EricGewiz

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 12:24:01 -0500

Call me crazy, but I actually liked the days when big publich buildings (bus terminals, stadiums, etc.) were named after people, rather than after a corporate name. Thankfully, the NY metro area hasn't given in completely to renaming their stadiums after corporate sponsors (other than the Continental Airlines Arena)....but is it THAT necessary to have a corporate sponsor for the Bus Terminal? I know the money's going to renovate (which it certainly could use), but does it NEED the corporate name?

so I hear

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 12:17:48 -0500

It won't be Citigroup. Rumor is they are already putting the moves on the new Mets stadium.

Brightliner

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 11:51:49 -0500

I can just see it now: "Trump Terminal." Gag. On the other hand, "Trump terminal" would be a headline more than a few people wouldn't mind seeing.