How Long Will It Take?

According to yesterday's Crain's Insider, a New York State Department of Transportation spokesperson estimates that an Environmental Impact Assessment for the Sheridan Expressway's future won't be available until at least 2010. That's more than three years behind the schedule.

It seems like an awfully long time to prove what even the DOT spokesperson was willing to admit yesterday: all four options on the table for the Sheridan's future would improve truck travel times in the region... even the options that call for getting rid of the Sheridan all together.

So what are we waiting for? Affordable housing development is failing to keep pace with demand. Open space and parks continue to be an unattainable luxury for residents of the South Bronx. Access to living wage jobs for locals with modest levels of education is continuing to shrink. It's time to replace the Sheridan Expressway with over 1,000 units of housing, open space, and new economic development opportunities.

A Civic Activist Bootcamp

Just found on YouTube:


This is a heavily edited video, courtesy of the Municipal Art Society, documenting "A Civic Activist Bootcamp" – one of multiple events hosted around a exhibition at the MAS on the life and work of Jane Jacobs.

Tune in to hear Alexie Torres-Fleming, Executive Director of Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice, representing the Sheridan Expressway campaign on the panel.

Presentation Anytime

Last fall, the Southern Bronx River Watershed Alliance presented its community-inspired vision to replace the Sheridan Expressway at an event hosted by Solar 1, the "green energy, arts, and education center" in lower Manhattan. The event was part of Solar 1's ongoing "Green Renter" series, giving "local activists, experts and artists the chance to share with Solar One’s growing community information and news about what is, isn’t and can be done to make New York a more sustainable city."

Thanks to a cool new online presentation platform called "Articulate," now you can check out the virtual presentation 24/7 on the Solar 1 website.

Thanks to Chris Neidl at Solar 1 for putting the presentation online!