Clear path to Chinatown,
mayor's urged
 

 
By FRANK LOMBARDI
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
 
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver pressed Mayor Bloomberg yesterday to reopen a barricaded street that is a gateway to Chinatown.
A section of Park Row that runs beneath an entrance ramp to the Brooklyn Bridge has been "temporarily" closed for security purposes since the terror attacks of 9/11. The closed section is the most direct route in and out of Chinatown from the City Hall area.

Silver and other critics of the prolonged closing of Park Row contend that it has hindered the economic recovery of Chinatown, caused traffic congestion, added to noise and air pollution and impeded access for emergency vehicles and transportation.

They complain that the barricaded section has become a parking lot for the nearby Police Headquarters.

Silver and other critics of the street closing maintain that while security precautions are necessary, they must not destroy the quality of life of communities.

After failing to get the city to reopen Park Row, civic leaders and local officials, including Silver, sued the city in April in Manhattan Supreme Court. On Monday, they won a ruling requiring the city to conduct an environmental assessment of the impact of the closing.

At a City Hall press conference yesterday with other officials and Chinatown leaders, Silver praised the ruling by Justice Walter Tolub.

"This is a great day for us, knowing that you can fight City Hall and ... win," Silver said.

He also said he hoped Tolub's decision will spur a meeting with Mayor Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly that "will produce a mutual accommodation of the community and the city."

There was no immediate reaction from the mayor, but on Tuesday, Bloomberg strongly hinted the closing might be revised.

"I'm a big believer that if you keep people from moving around reasonably freely, if you take away people's personal rights in the interest of security, the terrorists win without firing a shot," Bloomberg said then.

Councilman Alan Gerson (D-Manhattan), whose district includes Chinatown and lower Manhattan, has spearheaded efforts to reopen Park Row. He said he was encouraged by Bloomberg's comments.

And Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens), whose district includes Chinatown, added, "We just cannot talk about economic recovery and rebuilding lower Manhattan while we close Park Row."

Originally published on August 7, 2003
 
 
 

JUDGE RULES IN FAVOR OF THE REOPEN PARK ROW COALITION!!!
 

http://www.ny1.com/ny/Search/SubTopic/index.html?&contentintid=32215&search_result=1REPORT FROM NY 1

Judge Says NYPD Must Conduct Study To See If Park Row Can Remain Closed
 

AUGUST 04TH, 2003

For nearly two years, Park Row has been closed to traffic from Worth Street to Frankfort Street, providing a protective barrier for police headquarters. The street was originally closed following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Many Chinatown residents call the setup a major disruption to their way of life. Residents, particularly those at Chatham Green, a 21-story co-op, and their guests are forced to pass through checkpoints to get to their apartments. Buses have been rerouted, and cabs and emergency vehicles have trouble getting through.

For 22 months, the city has refused to respond to their complaints, residents say.

"The city has told us to go to hell,” said Danny Chen, a member of Chatman Green's co-op board, "and that this is the way it is after 9/11, and that you just have to learn to live with it."

"We've been ignored,” said Chatham Green resident Theresa Pastore. “They do what they want. And we're just here to take it."

But the city has to listen to them now. On Monday, a Manhattan judge rejected the city's arguments that the closures are a temporary measure.

In his decision, Justice Walter B. Tolub wrote: "While respondents assert that the barriers are not permanent and may be removed if the threat of a terrorist attack against One Police Plaza is reduced, they offer no estimation of when, if ever, that will be."

The ruling gives city officials 90 days to perform an environmental assessment of the street closure. That, in turn, could lead to a more in-depth, six-month environmental impact statement.

"One of the big complaints from everybody is the lack of due process,” Chen said. “I think that what this ruling does is give us a participation in the process – hearings and evaluations listening to how this stuff is impacting our lives."

The ruling also found that the NYPD acted unlawfully in converting James Madison Plaza to a police parking lot after September 11, 2001, and gave the city until the end of the year to convert it back to parkland or get approval from lawmakers – a seemingly unlikely prospect.

"The Legislature would never approve taking away a park,” Jack Lester, an attorney for the residents said, "and turning it into a parking lot for the convenience of the New York City Police Department to the detriment of the people of Chinatown."

Residents of Chatam Green hope the ruling will be the first step toward restoring normalcy to their community.

"We're not going away,” said resident Rich Scorce. “We want our street back. We want our neighborhood back. We want our quality of life back."
 
 
 

COVERAGE FROM THE DOWNTOWN EXPRESS http://downtownexpress.com/
 
 

It's ironic that on Independence Day Weekend a community had their independence taken away  by the Mayor and the Police Commissioner.  That is when the pop up barriers in front of private residence Chatham Green went into operation.  It's not suprising, since on Easter Sunday evening the DOT started this project by drilling the street, on Memorial Day weekend--through the rain the the majority of the equipment was installed.  Makes one wonder what Labor Day will bring.  There has been a total disregard for the residents and the effects on the community with a policy of "drop dead we're doing what we want to."
 
 

BACKGROUND:

Chatham Green tenants: Checkpoints are choking us

Chatham Green to rally to reopen Park Row

Residents protest continuing closure of Park Row

Kelly says Park Row closing will continue

Park Row law proposed

Chinatown Searching for Answers on Park Row

Park Row lawsuit continues as talks stall

Brooklyn Bridge success says nothing about Park Row

Judge says police are ‘heavy handed’ on Park Row
 
 

WHY

Twenty two months after 911, the NYPD under ray kelly & advisors  implemented the  pop up barriers on Park Row, blocking a driveway and the free access and egress of over 1500 residents of Chatham Green.  This could have been avoided by placing such pop ups another 20 feet south which would not interfere with the comings & goings of residents.

Why is a "security zone"  equivalent to 3.5 blocks needed on the north side of Police Plaza when the east side of the building has only a 1.5 block "security zone?"

Using this rationale, traffic should cease at Chatham Square.   But, traffic continues along St James Place because it would be a logistical nightmare if those streets were closed and basically all of downtown would separated from those streets north of the Brooklyn Bridge.  If 3 blocks is the "safety zone"  WHY is traffic allowed to flow down Broadway & Park Row ---only a block away from City Hall....WHY is traffic allowed on Broadway, Worth, & Lafayette Streets which are a stone's throw from Federal Plaza..  We know the reason and it is not so much security BUT parking for the private cars of NYPD Headquarters personnel.

Finally, WOULD this take place on Park Ave?  Or, would influential community groups and business organizations get the ear of Mayor Mike, something that the "second class citizens of Park Row" have been unable to do.

MANY QUESTIONS.......FEW ANSWERS
 

THE IMPLICATIONS:

If you are a resident of Chatham Green you must now tell an officer where you are going and, at times, show your drivers license.  All truck deliveries are subject to NYPD inspection and you must give advanced notice of such delivery or the truck will be turned away.  Any visitor who is driving to Chatham Green  is subject to questionning as to where they are going and their car is subject to search.   This is not a 3rd world country, its not Bagdad....its life on Park Row, NYC, USA

Residents of Chatham Green and Chatham Towers have been here since 1963.  We have seen our neighborhood become an encampment due to NYPD headquarters, the Metropolitan Detention Center, and the new Federal Court at 500 Pearl St---all build after 1970.  Who are the real terrorists?  We have found our freedom limited by our own officials.   Again, the same question pops up "Would this be tolerated on Park Ave and Madison Ave instead of Park Row and Madison St"
 
 

Some of the inital comments by those affected were:

Move the Pop Ups

We are not second class citizens

Relocate Police Headquarters

Bloomberg / Kelly have destroyed our neighborhood & decreased our property values. It can happen to you.
 

Would this take place on Park Avenue?
Would this be TOLERATED on Park Avenue?

Commissioner Kelly: How many times did you have to show your ID to drive into your apartment complex?

Mayor Mike: We Vote…We Remember…We will spread our message to other areas of the City…City Hall refuses to hear us!

Dump  BLOOMBERG IN 2005!
 

comments, questions, complaints----visit our message board
 

Letters to the Editor published in the Downtown Express

To The Editor:

The ongoing saga of the "closing of Park Row" continued last night (April 10th) with a public forum at Transfiguration Church. It was heartening to see all our local elected officials or their representatives there. I especially want to thank Councilman Gerson, Assemblyman Silver and State Sen. Connor for their attendance and comments. It was disturbing not to see a representative of the N.Y.P.D. and the mayor's office. In effect, their response was "our minds are already made up, don't confuse us with the facts."

Had an N.Y.P.D. representative been there, I had some questions prepared:

What's the reasoning involved in putting the pop up barrier north of the Chatham Green driveway? For the past six months the barrier has been south of the driveway and this is a livable solution which provides us with access to our homes. Is the extra 20-30 ft going to make a difference when Police Commissioner Kelly's imaginary speeding truck bomb comes barreling down Park Row? Are they punishing us for speaking out?

If N.Y.P.D. is so concerned about bombings why do they have functioning gas pumps across the street from Chatham Green (less than 40 feet from our property)? Not to mention, the diesel fuel that is stored under headquarters. (Remember what caused Seven W.T.C. to fall down.)

Is it really security or is Park Row just a convenient parking lot? They have transformed a beautiful street into an eyesore. If security is the main issue then no cars should be parked on Park Row and under the bridge.

I still have these questions but no answers. In effect, the response of Bloomberg and Kelly is equivalent to that famous Daily News headline during the Ford administration which said "Drop Dead New York" only this time it's "Drop Dead Residents of Park Row."

Finally, I must ask our mayor if this situation would be tolerated on Park Ave. or Madison Ave.? I think not. But, it seems to be okay to dump on Park Row and Madison St. We'll remember this in 2005, Mayor Mike.
 
 
 

Date: Apr, 16 2003
I'm glad the Downtown Express printed x's letter to the Editor. It has been a difficult period for the residents surrounding Police Plaza The constant changes in protocols. The abusive use of the streets (especially Park Row) for parking. The non-response from both the Mayor and the Police Commissioner regarding our concerns about the closure and the reasons behind its closure. The assignment of liaisons who attempt to negotiate with residents about topics such as the placement of the pop-up barriers while at the same time tearing up the sidewalks to place the barriers North of Chatham Green's Driveway. The constant fear that Police HQ, instead of being decentralized or relocated, is being enhanced and fortified from within to make it more of a target. The constant concern that the shroud of secrecy surrounding the reason for the street closure is to prevent disclosure of significant vulnerabilities such as the gas station and deisel fuel tanks that "xxx"  mentioned. I'd like to add to "xxx's" comments that we are working hard to get Park Row open and are focusing on (but not limited to) the following: - SHORT TERM: taking legal actions to force an immediate block of the installation of the pop-up barriers and an immediate review of the street closure and the reasons for closure. - MEDIUM TERM: pushing for immediate traffic (LMDC has approved this study) and economic studies to support the re-opening of Park Row - LONG TERM: The passing of legislation to require all street closures be subject to periodic review, by committees that represent the public (A checks-and-balance legislation that does not currently exist). These are only a few of the options that we must consider to ensure the non-totalitarian control of our area, all in the name of "security." Lastly, one must ask "With the planned significant cuts in the police force, wouldn't a smaller perimeter be more manageable?" The workers of Police HQ will just have to park their cars in a parking lot or take mass transit like the rest of us. E Lam Board President of Chatham Green

Park Row closure
 

To The Editor:
Chatham Towers and Chatham Green, two residential complexes next to Police Headquarters were forced to file a lawsuit over the unprecedented taking of Park Row (“Chinatown Searching for Answers on Park Row,” April 22-28) and the proposed installation of pop-up barriers that would block access to Chatham Green’s driveway and Chatham Towers’ handicap ramp. The closing of Park Row, a major north-south artery that connects Chinatown to the financial and shopping districts of Downtown, and the subsequent forcing of five lanes of traffic from the Bowery, Mott, St. James, Oliver and East Broadway onto congested Worth St., is an assault on the safety, health and quality of life of thousands of residents east of the Civic Center.

Emergency vehicles like ambulances and fire trucks have lost their swiftest access to our homes and businesses. Many users of hospital emergency rooms use car services rather than ambulances and are also caught in this slow, snaking traffic. The resulting congestion not only increases air and noise pollution but also increases the hazards of crossing the streets by our young as well as seniors. All this has been done without review of the impact on our community for the past 19 months.

With the proposed installation of pop-up barriers north of the driveway of Chatham Green and the handicap ramp of Chatham Towers, all visitors driving vehicles will be forced to show identification at a police checkpoint or be turned away - this includes not only emergency vehicles but also Access-a-Rides, as well as family, friends or patients being dropped off at ground floor medical offices. Many seniors have expressed concerns about the elaborate procedures that must be made in order to arrange for car services or visitors with vehicles to their homes. We feel like we are living in a military encampment. We are asking the N.Y.P.D. and city to show cause why this action is necessary and for how long?

I, and many others, do not want to see our children grow up with pop-up steel plates clanging a few feet outside our windows and doors with the arrival and departure of each police authorized vehicle on Park Row. Our street is not only guarded by two police vehicles, our sidewalk is littered with broken, wooden police barriers, concrete Jersey barriers and hot tub sized, empty concrete containers that sometimes force us to walk single file to our front doors. Our street is already home to a large federal checkpoint with bomb-sniffing dogs, enormous dog trailer and dog run. How would others feel if they were in our position?

I applaud the hundreds of Chatham Towers, Chatham Green, Confucius, Smith Houses and Southbridge Towers residents, neighborhood friends, business and community organizations who have been forced to repeatedly fill a rally site, town halls, community board meetings and now standing room only courthouse room to demand the re-opening of Park Row. We applaud Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, State Senator Martin Connor, Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields, and Councilman Alan Gerson for joining us in forum after forum to support our efforts and for joining us in our lawsuit.

We also thank Congressman Jerrold Nadler and Comptroller William Thompson for their continued support.

We are asking for the same post 9/11 rights and quality of life that other citizens enjoy in this city. Re-open Park Row — give back our streets because we are not giving up.

thinking of living in this community?   click here
 
 
 

Judge Walter Tolub says police are ‘heavy handed’ on Park Row
 
 
 
 

“[The] city has [secured] a…greater area than apparently is necessary to provide security for One Police Plaza,
told the city’s attorney that “you seem to have undertaken a rather massive approach to a security problem without any thought as to the impact on the community.”

. “It’s not the equivalent of traffic devices,” the judge said. “It’s a barrier.”
 

“ ‘We were negotiating’ doesn’t carry with me,” he said. “I want to see some results.”
 

Tolub, whose courthouse is right near Park Row, indicated he knew the neighborhood well during the proceedings. He also scolded the city for not doing more to satisfy the plaintiffs’ needs.
 
 

Kenneth Eshak, NYU Downtown Hospital's interim president and C.E.O., said the city is endangering the lives of Downtown residents:
 
 
 

“Specifically, we believe that the closures and other obstacles imposed by New York City between the hospital and the neighborhood have lengthened the time… for emergency vehicles…to bring patients to our hospital,” Eshak wrote in a letter submitted to the judge. “Needless to say, this constitutes a tangible detriment to the health and safety of the affected New York citizens, residents and employees, and in specific cases, could be life threatening.”
 
 
 

From the Editor of the Downtown Express

Opening dialogues and streets in Chinatown
When the U.S. military has taken over Iraqi towns over the last few weeks, typically, military commanders have made it a point to meet with local religious and community leaders. They have done this despite well-founded fears that some of the locals may have suicide bombs strapped to their stomachs. One wonders what Police Commissioner Ray Kelly might say to these officers if he tried to explain why he has so far chosen not to meet with the locals who live in Chinatown and near City Hall to explain the closure of Park Row, a main artery connecting the two neighborhoods.
Surely there are not greater threats to the personal safety of Kelly than there are to our armed forces serving in Iraq. It is unacceptable that Kelly has continued to ignore Downtown residents and businesses to explain the closure of the street and why it can’t at least be opened for pedestrians and city buses.

No part of this city has a better appreciation of the terrorism threats Kelly must handle than Lower Manhattan. Downtown was attacked by international terrorists twice in the last 10 years. This community understands that the N.Y.P.D. headquarters is an important building to protect.

But there are over 1,000 residents living in Chatham Green and Chatham Towers who suffer every day because of the barricades. They plan to file a lawsuit against the city this week. The closure also affects nearby complexes including Southbridge Towers, Smith Houses and Confucius Plaza, and tamps down badly needed traffic to Chinatown by cutting off one of its main arteries from Lower Manhattan.

If Kelly feels the continued closure of Park Row is necessary, he should have the courage, to explain why. Mayor Mike Bloomberg said last week that he will take the issue up with his police commissioner. Bloomberg’s light touch in letting commissioners run their departments has a big plus side, but there are times when the mayor needs to step in and assert his authority. Park Row may be just such a case.

We think it is highly likely that there are ways to ease the closure while still maintaining enough security. Mayor Bloomberg said as much last week, but they will be empty words unless he holds his staff accountable

EMPTY WORDS FROM BLOOMBERG-----NO WORDS FROM KELLY----JUST THE SHAFT

WE ARE ANGRY AND WE VOTE---WE WILL REMEMBER THIS

Euclid said: a straight line is the shortest distance between two spaces--Geometry101

Not in Mike Bloomberg and Ray Kelly's world
 
 
 
 
 

Examples: you get sick on the corner of park row and pearl st......ambulance dispatched from NYU Downtown Hospital. Before it was a 3-4 block run which should take about 2 minutes.

in Kelly's world....that ambulance must now travel 7-9 blocks and take 4-7 minutes depending on traffic plus go through a police checkpoint.
 
 

a fire breaks out on park row.....in the old days engines from Beekman St. firehouse would be there is a matter of minutes....2-3 depending on traffic.....now the beekman st fire unit has to go through as 9 block course which is often traffic clogged .

THE LIVES AND HEALTH OF RESIDENTS, WORKERS & VISITORS ARE PUT AT RISK BY THE POLICY OF BLOOMBERG/KELLY WHICH KEEPS PARK ROW CLOSED