Petition to provide Direct Ferry Service between Astoria and UES

Please sign our petition at https://www.change.org/p/mayor...

The Old Astoria Neighborhood Association would like to advocate for changing the origin Landing on the Astoria Ferry from Hallets Cove, Astoria to the Upper east Side of Manhattan. We feel that this extension of the route to the Upper East Side would create a positive economic effect.. Each waterfront is 1515 ft and about5 minutes transit time one-way from each other. Both areas would receive great business, tourism, culture, job, and residential benefits. The Upper East Side is an established “destination” for New Yorkers, and Astoria is an up and coming neighborhood. Traffic will flow both ways and increase commercial traffic in Astoria and western queens Astoria would provide more affordable apartments that you can get in the upper east side, one of NYC’s most expensive markets, within an easy 5-minute commute. There are currently approx. 4000 new apartments proposed for Hallets Peninsula. And Astoria’s business and cultural institutions would become easily accessible to the Upper East Side residents. Other positives include:

1. 2nd Avenue subway access
2. Less cars on streets
3. Access to the proposed Astoria Waterfront Arts District
4. Required infrastructure already exists, therefore start-up costs will be minimal
5. Per the EDC Feasibility Study: Support growing neighborhoods and connect people to jobs and economic opportunities throughout the city. This definitely ties into Astoria- the most new units per capita in the US; plus new park facilities that received at over a $30M investment
6. Also per the EDC Feasibility Study: NYC Ferry also aligns with the goals of Mayor de Blasio’s “One New York: The Plan for a Strong and Just City,” which aims to create economic growth and improve New Yorkers’ lives by improving citywide connectivity. Connecting East 90th and Astoria terminals specifically addresses the connectivity issue with minimal cost.