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Greenpoint Ferry Service Won't Resume Anytime Soon
By
Lauren Evans
Published Apr 22, 2014
Modified Apr 22, 2014
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Via Alan Tansey
By
Lauren Evans
Published Apr 22, 2014
Modified Apr 22, 2014
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The last time the India Street ferry landing in Greenpoint was operational, we were still in the throes of eternal winter. Much has changed since then—the snow has melted, and it's possible to go outside without the required shroud of North Face gear and animal pelts. The ramp, though, is still just as collapsed as it was in February.
The gangway's status is noted on the East River Ferry website, though no updates have been made since February 19. Preliminary investigation revealed that two "spud piles" that held the barge in position had failed, resulting in the barge drifting to the west and the ramp's subsequent collapse. It goes on to say that "We have been advised by the pier owner that additional dive teams are going to be sent to the site to remove the piles for further examination in order to assess the cause of their failure. The retrieval of those piles and the determination of the cause of their failure are required before the facility can be restored to service."
Little progress has been made toward getting the India Street location back in business, the Daily News reports today. Apparently the dock's owner, RedSky Capital, is shirking at the idea of hiring a crane to complete the investigation, which the city has promised uneasy commuters it would do before any repairs are authorized. Another crane would need to be hired to actually complete the work—and RedSky would really only rather foot the bill for one crane use.
“Them balking because they didn’t want to spend some extra money getting a crane out to do the investigation is outrageous,” Councilman Stephen Levin told the tabloid. “There has to be answers as to why this happened,” he added. “Because somebody really could have died."
A cursory internet search indicates that crane rentals generally cost between $100 to $800 per day, though of course the price is contingent on the type of crane being rented. RedSky's website boasts that "the company firmly believes in maximizing value through optimal use of existing space and expense reductions." Expense reductions! Wouldn't it be cheapest to just lash the new gangway together with old latte cups and last year's rompers? Good thing millennials are such excellent swimmers.
A spokesperson for the NYC Economic Development Corp. told the News, "We are optimistic that a strengthened ferry landing will welcome back service in the near future."
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East River Ferry
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Lauren Evans
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