New Yorkers are tired of watching their neighborhoods wither while the rest of the city moves forward. That frustration was on full display Tuesday at a City Council hearing, where locals demanded a ferry landing for City Island to fix a broken transportation link and save struggling local businesses.
Councilmembers Amanda FarÃas and Shirley Aldebol introduced a new bill, Intro 1032, back in September to explore this exact solution. If the study finds a site works, construction must start within a year, extending service from Throgs Neck to the isolated Bronx peninsula.
Twenty Years of Empty Storefronts
The economic pain on City Island is real and long-standing. John Doyle, a board member for City Island Rising, noted that the group collected over 400 signatures from residents and business owners backing the ferry plan. He pointed to the visual reality of the main drag, stating, according to amNewYork, “There are more than 20 vacant storefronts here.”
Doyle made it clear that the status quo has failed the community for too long. “This has been going on for 20 years, and it’s time to try something new,” he said. The lack of easy access has left the area disconnected, with businesses unable to draw customers from the wider city.
A Community Disconnected From The City
Michael Shanley, a former police officer and lifelong Bronx resident who has lived on the island for 31 years, testified in strong support of the landing. He described the area as having untapped potential that has gone unrealized for decades.
The isolation is so severe that it affects how the island is perceived by the rest of New York. Shanley highlighted that the lack of a direct subway line has even led to the area being omitted from standard city maps. “City Island is even left off maps of New York City because we don’t have a direct subway line,” he added.
Without better transit, the local economy continues to bleed. Shanley observed that the few businesses trying to survive are fighting an uphill battle.
The Time To Act Is Now
This isn’t just about a boat ride; it’s about survival for a historic New York community. The City Council has a chance to fix a 20-year mistake by approving the study for a new ferry route. If the committee determines a landing is feasible, the city would be on the hook to build it quickly, potentially bringing thousands of new visitors to the island’s restaurants and shops.
We need to stop ignoring neighborhoods that are being left behind. The residents of City Island have made their case loud and clear: they want a way to connect with the rest of the city without driving across a bridge. The Council needs to move on Intro 1032 and get this study done.
This is opinion and commentary from the RapForMayor team.
