NYCkayaker Yonkers Boathouse ?

[David Gottlieb]

Bonnie,

If I may be so crude.... It Yonkers waterfront development plan actually
sucks.... Oh Bonnie, I believe, in this case the right hand knew exactly
what the left hand was doing and visa versa. They just want us to think that
they are typical bureaucrats.

OK, now to be a little more explicit... The plan was intentionally and
quietly released during the December holiday season on December 19th and
only one month was given for public response, now extended for another
month. The plan for the removal of the YPRC (Yonkers Paddling and Rowing
Club-- established as the YCC in 1886) from the boathouse was buried in the
1,000 page master plan document and YPRC wasn't even notified of this.

It's curious that at least two marinas with power boats are being planned,
but that keeping the YPRC in the historic boathouse isn't even considered.
Isn't it amazing that a waterfront plan that pushes out the YPRC, doesn't
consider the public programs that YPRC conducts for the community from this
boathouse. Nor do they recognize the integral role that YPRC has played in
waterfront awareness and access.

The city took away access to bathrooms, the parking and the access to the
club over the last few years while at the same time pretending to be a
friend of YPRC. I believe they knew all along what they were doing and whose
hands they were holding. The plan includes some rather tall buildings that
will block views of the river with 3,800 new apartments, only a small amount
of public space, two marinas for power boats and very little public access
to the Hudson....

They are trying to bamboozle the public for a project that will bring in $2
billion worth of development with no real consideration of the environment
along the river....

Take care, David Gottlieb



On 1/31/08 8:42 PM, "bonnie13 at earthlink.net" <bonnie13 at earthlink.net> wrote:

> Thanks, Lee.
> 
> I'm afraid I have great faith (where government organizations are involved) in
> the ability of the hand that hooks up the sewer and water to have absolutely
> no clue what the hand that plans the esplanade is doing. It's not even about
> being nefarious, it's just sometimes the lines of communication between
> Department A & Department B just aren't so great.
> 
> But I WAS aware that the YPRC has had a basically really good relationship
> with the city (I'd gathered the last shutdown scare was somewhat in the way of
> the county showing the city who was boss & the city stuck up for the club).
> That's why the sudden change in plans seemed so baffling & I was curious
> enough to ask for more info.
> 
> Hope it all works out as you foresee.
> 
>