Updates

On January 24, 2006, the NY Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) advised community boards and key stakeholders in the Henry Hudson Parkway that it is postponing the corridor management plan.. The HAER report will be completed as a narrative history only, without the drawings and photo documentation.

"The New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) would like to advise you that our efforts to develop a Corridor Management Plan (CMP) for the Henry Hudson Parkway (HHP) for the purposes of possible nomination and designation of the Parkway as a New York State Scenic Byway are temporarily being deferred. We would like to thank the Community Boards, interest groups, agencies, organizations and public who participated in our information meetings and workshops and provided us with valuable input and feedback. Your enthusiasm and interest in this project are greatly appreciated.

 

"NYMTC Member Agencies have requested postponement of the CMP study to allow for the completion an ongoing corridor review. In order to optimize available resources and insure compatibility with these current efforts, it was recommended the HHP CMP be temporarily put on hold until the review is completed.

 

"Considering the limited transportation resources available to address the many Regional priorities competing for funds, Council Members recommended project deferral. Therefore, NYMTC will not be issuing a Request for Proposals to retain consultant services for development of a CMP at this time. However, the work currently underway researching the contextual history of the Henry Hudson Parkway being developed by the Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) will continue. This initial research, combined with the ongoing corridor evaluation will help provide a strong foundation for the development of a CMP in the future.

 

"NYMTC would like to thank all of the involved groups and individuals that have helped us with the HHP study efforts, and look forward to working with you in the future. "
A proposed greenway route in Riverdale integrates parkway service roads and overpasses<< A proposed greenway route in Riverdale integrates parkway service roads and overpasses. The pedestrian and bicycle path along the parkway would fill a still-missing link in the Hudson River Valley Greenway as well as enhance the mobility of Riverdale residents. The plan is waiting final approval by NYC DOT, which must address the issue of egress from the Henry Hudson Bridge (under jurisdiction of MTA, which has promised to add a cantilevered bike path on the upper deck.)   Design guidelines were developed by NY4P community design intern Philippa Brashear, who worked with the community over the summer of 2004. The route was developed by John Benfatti, working with DOT and Parks, under a grant from the NYC Environmental Fund.
The Task Force accompanied by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) made formal presentations to Manhattan Community Board 9's Waterfront, Piers, and Economic Development Committee and to Community Board 7. Major issues in the Harlem area of the parkway are waterfront access, economic development, and the proliferation of billboards on both private and railroad property. Major issues in the Upper West Side are preservation of Riverside Park and the autonomy of its management by the Riverside Park Fund, as well as concern about proliferating billboards, proposed electronic signs ("smart messaging signs") by NYS DOT, and the impact of changes to the elevated Miller Highway south of 72nd Street.
The Henry Hudson Parkway Task Force made a preliminary presentation to the New York State Scenic Byway Advisory Board in July 2004. The presentation was attended by representatives of NYS DOT, NYC DOT, NYC Parks & Recreation, and NYMTC. The Scenic Byways Board called the public outreach done by the Task Force "already exceeding the technical requirements of the program," giving the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council the green light to build on that outreach rather than repeat it when conducting the Corridor Management Plan (CMP).
In March 2005 the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) approved $726,755 for the Henry Hudson Parkway Corridor Management Plan and is preparing the scope for the RFP to be issued later this year. The CMP will address built and natural components of the Parkway, which is defined as the roadway, the corridor, and the context wherever it is affected by the Parkway. Community boards, agencies and other major stakeholders have been invited to a preliminary meeting to explain the project and introduce Nancy Alexander, director of the NYS Scenic Byways Advisory Progam, on March 30 at 6:00 pm at the St. Luke AME Church Center, 1854 Amsterdam Ave. at 152nd Street. (More information: contact Nancy O'Connell at 212-383-2529.)
NYC DOT is preparing to close the 72nd northbound exit of 9a (the end of Joe Dimaggio Highway and beginning of the Henry Hudson Parkway) in order create a connection between Riverside Boulevard (part of the Trump complex) and Riverside Drive.  Local opposition to the plan has been vehement, but focused almost entirely on the impact of diverting more vehicles to the 79th Street exit and on to local roads. It is less clear what the impact on the scenic byway will be. One sketch provided by DOT shows a reconfigured 72nd St. on-ramp which would cut off part of Riverside Park and the graceful stone wall that marks its southern boundary. They have assured the Riverside Park Fund that this design has been scuttled in favor of one that will not affect the park.

Congressman Charles B. Rangel has written a letter of support for the Scenic Byway initiative, joining Congressman Eliot Engel. Manhattan Community Board 12 has issued a resolution in support of the Scenic Byway initiative, joining Bronx Community Board 8. Assembly Scott Stringer has written a letter of support.

DOT's design for rehabilitation of the overpasses in Riverdale has met strong objections by the community.. Highway-style galvanized steel guard rails are being installed along the sidewalk curbs of these short, sparsely travelled overpasses -- not to protect the pedestrians from errant vehicles above, but motorists below from stones falling off the bridge in case cars above should jump the curb and hit the side of the wall at high speed. And the wrought iron replacing the chain link pedestrian fencing on top of the parapets (a hard won victory by the Art Commission) is now marred by..... chain link in front of it!
NYS DOT has postponed its presentation of a new plan for the "S curves" in northern Manhattan. Check here for further information.

 
2003 HHPTF