A Call to Action on the Bike Path Terminus from the Mayor of South Nyack

New NY Bridge officials are seeking comments about parking and the shared use path for pedestrians and bicyclists planned to end in South Nyack—and Mayor Bonnie Christian wants to give them an earful.

Christian sent out a note to South Nyack residents asking that they submit comments about the proposed terminus by the Feb. 13 deadline.

(Go here on the New NY Bridge site to read the proposed alternatives and learn how to comment.)

Christian points out that project officials have ignored the vehemently expressed wishes of village residents and accuses them of not considering alternatives to the plan they spent $900,000 on.

She also disputes project officials’ published take on their interaction with the South Nyack Task Force and village trustees.

Here’s Christian’s full note:

The New NY Bridge Team recently mailed a postcard asking the general public for comments on parking and the future Bike/Pedestrian terminus, AKA Shared Use Path (SUP).

The Postcard headlined “FACT VS. FICTION”, also addresses our interaction with their team to find the best location for the paths terminus in South Nyack.

Statements in the postcard misrepresented the position of both the Task Force and Village Trustees as we sought to find better solutions for the location of the terminus. Village officials believed that possible locations needed to be presented to the residents before any parking solutions could be considered.

The concept of the Shared Use Path ending at Cornelison Avenue and South Broadway, along with Village Hall being torn down and used as a parking lot was vehemently opposed by villagers attending the March 2014 public meeting sponsored by the New NY Bridge Team. The Task Force and I went on record as stating that we supported the sentiments of our residents and had to find a way of getting both the Shared Use Path and parking into Exit 10.

Prior to the March public meeting and without the knowledge or approval of the Board of Trustees, the Thruway Authority spent $900,000 on their concept. This was presumptuous and premature.

There has been no data given on the safety issues of a terminus at Cornelison and South Broadway, which will certainly bring undue traffic to our local roads and lessen our quality of life.

We had continued to meet with representatives of the New NY Bridge Team and asked repeatedly that other concepts for the terminus and parking be considered, developed and presented to the residents.

After months of waiting, the Task Force and village officials were told in November 2014 that the Shared Use Path would end at Cornelison Avenue and South Broadway and that the only decision still in consideration was needed parking. The Thruway Authority is now seeking public comments about their proposed parking plans which can be found at http:www.newnybridge.com/documents/sup

We are being pressured to submit comments by February 13th so that the Thruway Authority can start an environmental review of parking locations. This is being done BEFORE an appropriate SUP terminus is found. A solution to the Shared Use Path terminus is needed that is not only safe, but preserves the character and integrity of our village. Respond to the Thruway Authority and tell them so.

South Nyack residents must be heard. Email your comments and concerns to the address above and “cc” me. Do it today!

Bonnie Christian