76 replies to this topic

[Sloan]

 

 

What’s going on with the Brooklyn-Queens streetcar?

 

With the recent revelation that New York City’s proposed Brooklyn-Queens Connector (BQX) streetcar project had missed its deadline for launching the public review process at the end of December, new questions have arisen over how feasible the project is. As the city’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has instead chosen to begin a review of the streetcar’s cost and feasibility this year, it’s worth looking back at the BQX’s bumpy ride through 2017.

https://archpaper.co...-bqx-streetcar/

[Sloan]

 

 

Why the Brooklyn/Queens street car connector isn’t progressing

Claims that construction would start in 2019 and service would begin by 2024 continue to be wishful thinking.

https://www.metro.us...reet-car-penner

 

 

Edited by Sloan, 16 January 2018 - 01:23 PM.

[Sloan]

 

 

De Blasio administration may ditch planned streetcar along Brooklyn-Queens waterfront 

The de Blasio administration may back off one of the mayor’s marquee transportation initiatives — a streetcar on the Brooklyn-Queens waterfront.

Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen said Tuesday that key studies for the Brooklyn-Queens Connector, called the BQX, are still underway.

 

http://www.nydailyne...ticle-1.3913029

[KevinKorell]

QNS, 4/4/18:

 

City official says BQX streetcar may be scrapped if it ‘can’t pay for itself’

 

Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen said in a talk at New York University on Tuesday that the city would decide the fate of the Brooklyn Queens Connector after a study concludes whether the plan would be financially viable.

 

 

Update

[KevinKorell]

New York, NY Times, 4/10/18:

 

Is Mayor de Blasio’s Brooklyn-Queens Streetcar Dead?

 

 

It was an ambitious idea by Mayor Bill de Blasio and the focus of his 2016 State of the City speech: a sparkling streetcar running along the waterfront in Brooklyn and Queens.

 

 

Story

[Sloan]

 

 

Bill de Blasio, the Monorail Man New York City mayor Bill de Blasio’s got trouble. In an interview with the New York Daily News, his deputy mayor, Alicia Glen, spilled the beans on the perilous future of the Brooklyn-to-Queens streetcar de Blasio’s been promising since February of 2016. “Assuming that it does not pay for itself,” Glen told the News, “then we have to decide whether or not this is the right use of capital money for a transportation project.”

https://www.national...r-plan-debacle/

 

Despite mis-leading headline, this analysis of BQX from conservative-leaning National Review zeros in on streetcar systems with weak performances.    Sloan

[KevinKorell]

6 Sqft, 6/1/18:

 

 

Delayed feasibility study for proposed BQX streetcar costing taxpayers at least $7M

 

 

The plan to bring a 16-mile light-rail trolley between Brooklyn and Queens has already cost taxpayers millions of dollars, even before the feasibility of the project has been determined. The study has cost the city $7 million in taxpayer money so far, according to the New York Post. And while the city’s Economic Development Corporation promised to have the study completed last fall, this week the agency said they would not put a timeline on its release.

 

Update

[KevinKorell]

Architect's Newspaper, 8/29/18:

 

New York’s BQX streetcar on hold as de Blasio appeals for federal funding

 

 

 

The saga of New York City’s proposed Brooklyn-Queens Connector (BQX) streetcar has taken yet another turn, as Mayor Bill de Blasio placed responsibility for funding the $2.5-billion project on the federal government.

 

 

Story

[KevinKorell]

Curbed New York, 9/5/18:

 

 

Does New York City really need the BQX?

 

 

The BQX has a decent elevator pitch.

 

The planned route for the proposed light rail/streetcar runs from Gowanus to Astoria, through Downtown Brooklyn, Williamsburg, and Long Island City, connecting some of the city’s most rapidly developing neighborhoods.

 

Article

[KevinKorell]

AM New York, 10/21/18:

 

 

BQX streetcar project faces renewed skepticism by pols, residents

 

 

It’s one step forward for Mayor Bill de Blasio’s streetcar and two steps back.

 

As the de Blasio administration looks to move forward with the proposed Brooklyn-Queens Connector, called BQX, there’s renewed hesitation among local elected officials, experts and some residents about the merits and prudence of the project.

 

 

 

Story