Calls for “Olympic-sized” Celebration of Hudson River’s 400 Years

The Westchester County Business Journal recently released an article citing Mr. Martin Ginsburg, prominent Hudson Valley developer, in calls for an “olympic-sized” celebration for the Hudson River’s discovery by Henry Hudson, 400 years ago (1609). Celebrations for Robert Fulton’s first steamboat ride up the Hudson, which was in 1809, are also planned. Ginsburg calls the amount of money alloted to the events “pathetic.” He believes that billions of dollars should be spent by the government and by private donations and corporate sponsors to properly celebrate. Ginsburg believes that a celebration of this size is needed to help the financially distressed cities of upstate New York. The article goes as follows:

Support for Tappan Zee Alernative 4A

The Tappan Zee Bridge task force has whittled down the list of alternatives for replacement or maintenance of the Tappan Zee Bridge (I-287) corridor. They have settled on six alternatives: (1) No build – maintain the bridge “as is,” (2) Rehabilitate the existing bridge with seismic and structural upgrades, (3) a new bridge and full corridor Bus Rapid Transit , (4A) a new bridge and full corridor Commuter Rail Transit, (4B) Manhattan-bound commuter rail from Rockland with Light Rail across Westchester, and (4C) Manhattan-bound commuter rail from Rockland with bus rapid transit across Westchester. If Alternative 3 is not chosen (alternatives 1 and 2 are unlikely), then commuter rail from Rockland is a definite. HaverstrawLife would like to garner support for Alternative 4A, Full Corridor Commuter Rail Transit. HaverstrawLife feels that full corridor rail, with many new stations in Rockland and Westchester and connections to the Metro North Hudson and New Haven Lines, with transfers to all other NJ Transit and Metro North lines, would provide Rocklanders with the best chance at overcoming immobility in the region. We must learn that the deemphasis of the automobile in transportation is necessary to ensure a prosperous future. Please, HELP BUILD ALTERNATIVE 4A! For more information, please visit the Alternatives Analysis presented by Metro North Railroad, the New York State Department of Transportation, and the New York State Thruway Authority.

Ferry on Ice: Why It’s a Problem!

The New York Waterway Ferry has been suspended until further notice for the second time this winter season. Heavy ice on the Hudson River near Ossining has prompted ferry officials to, once again, shut the service down until the ice clears. The reason for ferry disruption is that ice chunks get drawn into the ferry’s cooling system, which is fed by river water, and then clogs the intake. The ferry’s engine cannot cool itself and the ferry’s operation must cease. The picture, above-left, shows a man standing in the middle of the Hudson River, near Newburgh during the 1800s. Back then, it was common for the river to freeze solid all the way across and as far south as New York Harbour. Those brave enough would venture out onto the ice, sometimes aided by ice skates. My great-grandfather once said that he and his friends would take bed sheets and hold them up to the wind; they would glide at a relatively fast speed on their ice skates, sometimes miles down the Hudson. Many scientists believe that Global Climate Change has ended these deep freezes. The ferry disruption will likely last until Thursday or Friday. Until then, NY Waterway is providing bus service to the Tarrytown train station, where Metro North can take commuters to Grand Central. Don’t worry! It’s supposed to get warmer by Friday; the ice should be gone by then! For more information, visit the NY Waterway website: NYWATERWAY.COM

Our Neighbor Gets a Facelift

The Ossining Ferry dock and train station area is about to undergo a complete transformation into a beautifully appointed mixed-use neighborhood. Ginsburg Development Companies and Capelli Enterprises have teamed up to build One Harbor Square between the existing ferry pier and the Metro North train station. Easy access to New York City, the rest of Westchester, and Haverstraw make this location priceless. HaverstrawLife welcomes our neighbor’s development, as it will help spur commerce between the Haverstraw Pier and the Ossining Pier. New restaurants will surely emerge on both sides of the Hudson, within walking distance of the ferry piers to accommodate this new market of consumers. Read more about the project here.