September 24, 2007
Park Row Paralysis
It's been six years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and Chinatown residents are getting frustrated that a security measure to protect New York City's police headquarters has tied traffic in their neighborhood in knots. One Police Plaza is located on Park Row in Chinatown, a street that links the financial district with one of the oldest ethnic neighborhoods in the city.
Park Row has historically been a major four-lane artery linking the financial district to Chinatown. It begins at Broadway by City Hall Park, zigzags under the Brooklyn Bridge, hugs the length of the New York Police Department’s headquarters and ends at Chatham Square.
The roadway has been closed to regular vehicle traffic since 2001; the NYPD asserts that it's necessary to protect its HQ from a truck bomb attack. Chinatown residents are increasingly frustrated, however, at the disruption caused by the closure of a vital thoroughfare. People who live nearby argue that the police department has placed a chokehold on an entire neighborhood and that if One Police Plaza is such an obvious terrorist target, perhaps it should be moved from a residential area. One middle school teacher said "I’m only let into my building at the whim of a cop."
The NYPD is taking measures to mitigate the disruption to the neighborhood that it feels is necessary to protect its facilities. Security booths are being aesthetically upgraded and pedestrian walkways are in the planning for Park Row, although some residents feel that these are simply steps to make the street's closure more permanent. In March 2005, the city council passed and Mayor Bloomberg signed legislation that opened an 18-month period of public comment to residents about the future of Park Row.
(Map of security cordon around One Police Plaza from the New York Times)
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I live just south of Chatham Square and I still can't figure out what the big deal is. Where do these people want to go via motor vehicle? Walk like the rest us and then take a subway or bus. These people act like they're being forced to walk 100 blocks to the grocery store.
the big deal is the disruption in business and bus traffic. goods needs to get to businesses, people need to get to said businesses. if it's a hassle, they'll go elsewhere.
If I had the money I'd buy a lifetime supply of adult diapers for all the NYPD's top brass. There's no need for them to keep piddling their panties in fear. Islam is not going to Conquer the World.
#2, pretty vague explanation. Give me an example of a business that can't get a delivery because of the closure because all I see are apartments that are within several hundred feet of major roadways on either side - which means walk one way or the other and you have access to roads. Sounds like these people want to drive up to their apartments.
Typical NYPD arrogance.
#4, I'm not a fan of people who live in apartments in Manhattan and drive either, but you have to understand that if you pay for a parking space in a garage and an apartment in a building where you can drive, you'd be pretty pissed off too.
And I think the main complaint is the NYPD's move to change traffic (and pedestrian) patterns on a major street with the snap of a finger, w/out any community input. People generally don't like that kind of thing.
shouldn't you link to the NYTimes article from today since you quote it?
did you walk through chinatown lately? some storefronts are still shuttered. can't the NYPD at least open it up during the weekend?
You live on Madison street? thats south of CS or do you live on Division/E. broadway.
park row is a major artery, maybe some workers from the financial district want to have a Friday meal in chinatown? how would they get there quickly? A cab ride would be a straight shot into Mott street.
The fastest way from within the Financial District over to Chinatown is to get over to Water Street and head north to Pearl Street.St. James. Getting up to Park Row through the narrow streets is a bad idea.
As for shuttered storefronts, there aren't that many and I'd like some evidence that motor vehicle traffic is the culprit. Seems like a pretty vibrant neighborhood to me. Sounds more like sour grapes that they weren't consulted and like everyone in this city, they need to lash out at the government.
#1, "these people"?
you go your own way.
park row is still a major artery. Park row connects the brooklyn bridge, lower broadway etc.
all major accessways into chinatown. yes, they weren't consulted and if this was in Park avenue, this wouldn't of happened.
sour grapes from the NYPD, you mean.
Water street to chinatown? what else,
why don't we take the FDR drive to chinatown and get off on the Grand street exit.
#1, "these people"?
Oh shut up. Absolutely no evidence that the complainers are all one race so this isn't racism.
And #10, I disagree that it's a major artery. It's nothing like Park Avenue which is what, three, four, lanes in each direction for about six miles? Again, how many people need to get back and forth between Chinatown and the Financial District and can't? I don't mean to defend the cops on this so-called terrorism issue but I think the people complaining are being melodramatic. Not one apartment building in the "restricted zone" is cut off. Their garages have entrances on the perimeter roads.
The community should grab the offer of a greenway, then let us all help them get of the police parking lot so that become a park too. It seems to me that it's now two groups holding asphalt hostage.
It's terrible to say, but I think rhe larger reason Chinatown is suffering is that Chinese cuisine has really got out of favor. Not just since the health scares. It's just there are so many healthier, more interesting, cheaper alternatives now.