A highly criticized project has new critics among staffers at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Clayton Guse reports: "Gov. Cuomo’s resignation led to an outcry among Port Authority staffers who want the agency’s top officials to halt his controversial proposal to build an AirTrain to LaGuardia Airport."
The opposition was voice in a letter sent to Port Authority executive director Rick Cotton shortly after Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation, effective in two weeks, on television yesterday. "Tuesday’s letter was penned by Port Authority staffers who, out of fear of retaliation, asked to remain anonymous until Cuomo’s resignation is finalized," according to Guse.
The letter states in no uncertain terms that the project, approved last month by federal officials, was a symptom of Cuomo's leadership style—not good planning.
"For too long, Gov. Cuomo and his staff have repeatedly pushed the agency to make non-transparent, politically motivated decisions, including decisions that squander the trust and money of our bondholders, customers, and the general public," reads the letter, according to Guse.
As a prescription, the letter recommends that the Port Authority Inspector General investigate "whether Cuomo exerted 'undue influence' that prompted agency officials to 'manipulate the federally-mandated Environmental Impact Statement process' to approve the LaGuardia AirTrain over proposed alternatives like a subway extension or dedicated bus lanes to the airport," according to Guse.
Read the full story: Cuomo’s departure leads Port Authority staffers to demand agency halt his LaGuardia AirTrain plan
FAA Approves Circuitous, Controversial LaGuardia AirTrain Proposal
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, almost driven out of office by scandal earlier this year, has won a legacy project six years in the making.
LaGuardia AirTrain, Pet Project of Ousted Governor, Paused by Successor
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has instructed the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to rethink the plan for the $2.1 billion LaGuardia AirTrain, a contentious plan championed by former Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Overnight Subway Service Returning in New York City
A big piece of the process of reopening New York City for business is scheduled for May 17, but numerous challenges remain in getting the city that never sleeps back on track.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
US buildings threatened, destroyed by fires set to triple by 2060
Researchers found a high fire risk for socioeconomically vulnerable neighborhoods in the American West.
LA residents may be allowed to paint their own crosswalks
Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky put out a motion instructing the Los Angeles Department of Public Transportation to study the feasibility of allowing volunteers to paint crosswalks.
Dallas moves to overhaul its zoning code
The city's zoning reform will allow more multi-family and mixed-use developments.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority