Residential Parking for LIC

Earlier today, Mayor Bloomberg announced the Residential Parking Permit Program that will be included in the congestion pricing legislation. Long Island City is one of four neighborhoods mentioned in the City’s RPP proposal. It’s not clear why Astoria isn’t one of the trial neighborhoods, but local community boards will have the opportunity to opt in later on.

The program will work a little bit like alternate side of the street parking. Area residents will get permits for cars registered to addresses in the neighborhood.   Some—but not all—spots in the neighborhood will be designated as RPP spaces. Each neighborhood then gets to pick a specific 90 minute period during which the RPP spaces will be off limits to anyone without a permit. 

Um, okay. Will the plan really cut down on all day park-and-ride commuters or will it just send them around the block a few more times while they look for a non-restricted spot? It probably will make it harder for anyone who wants to shop, eat or work in the RPP zones to find parking.

Meanwhile, a Washington state scientist  who helped popularize the idea of congestion pricing now says that he wishes he could take the idea back.

Ferries in the Future?

Christine Quinn called for a city-wide ferry system in a speech last week. One line from her speech,  “imagine…commuting from Astoria to downtown without having to brave the traffic at the Triboro Bridge, ” makes you wonder if Quinn and the people behind the congestion pricing plan have ever heard of the Queensboro Bridge, or for that matter the Brooklyn Bridge or the Williamsburg Bridge, since nobody would drive over the Triboro if they’re headed downtown.

But we like the idea of more ferries. The Gotham Gazette spells out some things that would help make the plan a reality, such as subsidies and easier commutes to the ferries.  Everyone we know who’s tried New York Water Taxi’s service from LIC agrees that it’s a great ride, but a little pricey for everyday, so subsidies probably would get a  more people out on the  water. There have also been rumors  that a new ferry dock might be coming to Astoria, possibly near Costco  and the Sohmer Piano condos.