Letter to Astrid C. Glynn, Commissioner, NYS Department of Transportation

Letter

Letter to Astrid C. Glynn, Commissioner, NYS Department of Transportation

SCHUMER TO NYSDOT: PEEKSKILL BRIDGE DESIGN NEEDS TO REFLECT CITY'S PRIORITIES FOR RIVERFRONT, SHOULD NOT LOOK LIKE PRISON WALLS

NYSDOT Is Replacing Bridges Long In Need Of Repair, But Current Project Is Unsightly; Schumer Urges DOT To Replace Prison Wall Look-A-Likes With Aesthetically Appropriate Structures

City's Efforts Establishing Riverfront as Tourism Destination Would be Undermined by Massive Concrete Eyesores

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today called on the New York State Department of Transportation to immediately meet with Peekskill City leaders to address concerns over the massive concrete slabs erected to support the Route 9 overpasses through the city. While these bridges, that carry Rt. 9 through the city of Peekskill, are badly in need of replacement, city officials have become concerned that the DOT is ignoring earlier promises to maintain the historical and aesthetic qualities of the city and its viewshed of the Hudson River.

Today, in an effort to ensure that the DOT upholds it commitment to the city, Senator Schumer wrote a personal letter to DOT Commissioner Astrid C. Glynn urging her to create an architectural design that is sensitive to historic significance of Peekskill's riverfront and the city's viewshed looking west onto the Hudson River

"Proximity to the glorious Hudson River and the nearby Highlands is Peekskill's greatest natural attribute and we must make sure we build bridges to that riverfront that do not block this view, and that invite people in. Although I commend the DOT for taking on this important project, it is imperative that they keep their promise to city officials and adjust their designs to match the historic architectural and natural beauty of Peekskill," said Schumer. "Too many projects like this have suffered from poor planning. The Hudson River is one of New York's most beautiful natural resources and a major tourist attraction. The Department of Transportation must make every effort to work with city officials to ensure that the newly constructed bridges do not become an impediment to efforts to promote the city's history or its position as a Hudson River destination."

This past summer, New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) began work on replacing four existing bridges that carry Route 9 through the City of Peekskill. The project, slated for completion in the summer of 2010 is important to alleviate long-standing traffic and safety concerns on a four-mile stretch of the highway. Before construction began, NYSDOT assured city officials that it would work to protect the historical and aesthetic qualities of the city by creating a design that would protect the viewshed of the Hudson River.

Despite NYSDOT's promise, the current support structures that have been erected are hardly representative of earlier presentations to the city and are, in fact, eye sores. Additionally, retaining walls being constructed are devoid of any aesthetic qualities—resembling prison walls. These walls are directly opposite from the Lincoln Depot Train Station, the site of President Lincoln's only stop in Westchester County on his way to Washington for his inauguration in February 1861.

"Peekskill needs gateways to the Hudson River, not solid, drab, concrete walls that block the views and discourage activity at the riverside," said Senator Schumer. "There is no reason we can't build well and build beautiful."

To ensure that NYSDOT keeps its promise to construct architecturally appropriate bridges for the project, Schumer wrote a letter to DOT Commissioner Astrid Glynn asking her to work with city officials to address their concerns, noting that failure to do so would have a lasting impact on the face of the city's riverfront district.

In the letter, Schumer wrote, "Too many of our historic towns, cities, and villages along the Hudson River have suffered from poor planning and a lack of appreciate for historic preservation and appropriate aesthetics. It is imperative that the New York State Department of Transportation not present obstacles to such efforts. I am calling on your office to immediately meet with city leaders to address their concerns and make the appropriate architectural and design adjustments to your project."

A full copy of the letter is below

Astrid C. Glynn, Commissioner
NYS Department of Transportation
50 Wolf Road
Albany, NY 12232

March 10, 2009

Dear Commissioner Glynn,

This past summer, New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) began work on replacing four existing bridges that carry Route 9 through the City of Peekskill. Long overdue, these bridges are in desperate need of replacement and I commend the Department of Transportation for prioritizing the project. I am, however, very concerned with NYSDOT's commitment to earlier promises it made to the City that it would work to protect the historical and aesthetic qualities of the city and its viewshed of the Hudson River.

As you know, Peekskill, an historic river town nestled in the Hudson Highlands, has invested a great deal of resources into revitalizing its riverfront and promoting itself as a destination point. NYSDOT has a responsibility to protect that interest and its design plans should reflect this priority.

When NYSDOT had originally presented its plans to the Peekskill City Council for the redesign of the Central Avenue Bridge, the design was sensitive to the viewshed looking west onto the Hudson River. The current support structures that have been erected hardly are representative of earlier presentations to the city and in fact are eye sores. Additionally, retaining walls being constructed are devoid of any aesthetic qualities and to this point look like prison walls. These walls are directly opposite from the Lincoln Depot Train Station, the site of President Lincoln's only stop in Westchester County on his way to Washington for his inauguration in February, 1861.

Too many of our historic towns, cities, and villages along the Hudson River have suffered from poor planning and a lack of appreciate for historic preservation and appropriate aesthetics. As our local leaders up and down the region work to revitalize their communities and promote Hudson River tourism, it is imperative that the Department of Transportation not present obstacles to such efforts. I am calling on your office to immediately meet with city leaders to address their concerns and make the appropriate architectural and design adjustments to your project.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

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