A proposed ferry dock in Long Island City is causing some concerns among community leaders who say the increased traffic around the area will result in damage to Gantry Plaza State Park.
Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan recently sent a letter to Maria Torres-Springer, commissioner of the Economic Development Corporation (EDC), outlining several steps the agency can take to minimize the effects of the foot traffic.
“Locating a ferry terminal in a park is not the best use of scant use of park land,” Nolan said in her letter. “The increased traffic through the park may detract from the enjoyment of parkgoers and cause undue wear and tear on the park facilities.”
Nolan is asking the EDC to install bathrooms at the north end of the park and for compensation for the Parks Department to hire staff to maintain the “additional wear and tear” and safety of park patrons. She also wants someone to monitor the pier supports for “unusual wear” and guaranteed funds to fix any damage.
Additionally, the assemblywoman is calling on the ferry operator to assign staff to properly load and unload riders.
Though the Center Boulevard location is not confirmed, a spokesperson from the EDC said there will be bathrooms on the ferries and the queuing and waiting will all happen on the barge.
Rob Basch, president of the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy ― a group that aims to enhance the waterfront parks in Hunters Point ― said he agrees with Nolan and wants to make sure that amenities such as trash cans, seating and some sort of coverage for people waiting for the ferry on rainy days is provided.
The Hunters Point Parks Conservancy met with the EDC last month and both groups discussed the possibility of having local real estate groups who have invested in the area to provide funding for the upkeep.
Basch also mentioned that noise pollution is a problem. The current ferry dock in Long Island City forces the barges to back up before pulling out and use their horns four times to warn other boats every time they reverse. Basch is hoping that the next ferry dock is positioned so that the warning is not necessary.
“If you’re living in those buildings there, it’s loud. The horn beeps every half hour so it can be annoying,” Basch said. “It can be good if they can set it up so they don’t have to back out.”
The EDC is also eyeing a possible ferry dock on 44th Drive, but no selections have been made.
“As we move toward determining the location of the ferry landing, we will continue to work with our local and state partners to minimize impact to the surrounding areas,” EDC spokesperson Ian Fried said.
