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Fish Tanks Make Ferry Welcome Appearance
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 20, 2008
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 20, 2008
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro, and some young constituents, unveiled two new 10-ton fish tanks at the St. George ferry terminal. Molinaro said the tanks will liven up people's commutes; in July, he told the Advance, "It's very soothing because we live on an Island and it's very pleasant, so it fits perfectly."
Project cost $750,000 and features hundreds of individually picked fish from the Caribbean. Some argue that the tanks will be vandalized (scratches apparently can be buffed out), that they take up space, and that three-quarters of a million dollars for fish is a folly. But Molinaro said, "Some people don't understand the system. This is capital money, I can't hire a school teacher, I can't hire a cop, I can't put a new bus on the street with this money."
Mayor Bloomberg, who attended the unveiling, believes in the calming power of fish (he's installed them at Bloomberg LLP offices as well as his City Hall bullpen) and supported the Beep's decision, saying it could help with tourism. It seems to be helping with the natives, too. A 23-year veteran, Ferry Terminal supervisor John White, said, "I remember this place when it was a dungeon. I think it's beautiful and it definitely attracts the people." And some residents said they would be coming back.
The tanks were designed by Acrylic Tank Manufacturing, which has designed tanks for Las Vegas resorts and celebrities like Steven Spielberg and Kobe Bryant. The fish will be maintained by the Staten Island Zoo.
Tagged
bloomberg
borough president
bryant
city
City hall
fish tank
james Molinaro
john white
kobe
kobe bryant
las vegas
mayor
mayor bloomberg
staten island
Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro
Staten Island Ferry Terminal
staten island zoo
steven spielberg
vegas
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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