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Speeches
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Thank you for allowing me to testify today.
On December 16, 2004, I wrote a letter to Chairman Kalikow in which I appealed to him to consider alternatives to the so-called “Deep Cavern” project, a 150 ft. shaft on East 50 th Street that will connect the Grand Central Terminal to the Long Island Railroad (LIRR). I am here today to reiterate that appeal and to insist that the MTA undertake a more thoughtful analysis of the environmental impact of Deep Cavern.
The recently completed environmental assessment of the project is patently inadequate, an attempt to cut short dialogue when more dialogue is clearly needed. Surely, the MTA can understand why neighborhood residents, businesses, and elected officials are skeptical when they’re told that the presence of diesel fuel tanks, massive cooling systems, and garbage facilities will have no major effect on the economy, quality of life, traffic, or air quality in this thriving neighborhood.
It seems obvious that business will be hurt, traffic will be slowed, and public health will be compromised to one degree or another. The least the MTA can do for the New Yorkers who will have to live with the consequences of this project is produce a thorough and authoritative Environmental Impact Statement. No project is so urgent that it should undertaken in ignorance of its true impact.
Once an Environmental Impact Statement has been produced and reviewed, the MTA can more accurately compare the merits of the Deep Cavern project to less expensive and obtrusive alternatives like the Upper Loop, which would make use preexisting infrastructure. It can give full consideration to the opposition of community members, their elected officials, the Archdiocese, the neighborhood’s historic hotels and churches, Saks 5 th Avenue, and other landmarks. It can act responsibly and in cooperation with the residents and business owners whose interests are at stake.
All we are asking is that the MTA make a fair judgment informed by the true impact of this project. Improvements to the transportation system are important, but they are not more important than the health, well-being, and livelihood of New Yorkers. Their concerns must be taken seriously and their welfare must be protected.
Thank you.
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