NYMTC Annual Council Meeting

Attended New York Metropolitan Transportation Council Annual Council Meeting on Thursday, March 16, 2006 at 11:45 a.m.
New York Metropolitan Transportation Council
199 Water Street - 22nd Floor
New York, NY 10038
Shortly after I arrived Resolution #2006-4 was adopted in which there was a recognition of service by Thomas Suozzi, Nassau County Executive and Outgoing Co-Chairperson. Mr. Suozzi is seeking the Democratic nomination for Governor
Public Participation followed:
I was the sixth speaker from the public. My oral remarks were as follows:
My name is Richard Stowe. I live in New Canaan, Connecticut and am representing Rail Transportation Excellence Coalition.
As a transportation advocate I am an enthusiastic supporter of the ideas expressed by Donald Shoup in The High Cost of Free Parking. I encourage NYMTC to study market priced curb parking and offstreet parking as a future revenue source for regional rail transportation projects.
1) RailTEC supports eliminating peak hour prohibitions against boarding bicycles on all MTA Metro-North & LIRR commuter trains and eliminating bicycle permits.
2) RailTEC supports seamless single ride service from Connecticut to Nassau County via New Rochelle Junction, Hellsgate Bridge, at the "Y" (Bowery Bay Gate Interlocking) in Astoria, Queens, then southeast on the Fremont subdivision of the Bay Ridge line, create a junction onto Long Island Railroad main track to Jamaica Station and Nassau County. This allows outerborough and suburban commuters to avoid congested Manhattan train terminals.
3) RailTEC recommends that NYMTC write a letter of support to Connecticut legislators in support of initiating a seamless, single ride for a Grand Central Terminal to New Haven-Hartford-Springfield commuter rail service.
4) Regarding Resolution #2006-2 RailTEC strongly supports Access to the Regions Core Alternative "G" with through running commuter trains from New Jersey, Penn Station, Grand Central Terminal to Connecticut.
5) In addition RailTEC supports one-berth platform stops in the 32nd Street and 33rd Street tunnels at the Park Avenue 6 line
6) Finally, RailTEC supports the 31st Street "Schumacher" rail freight alignment from New Jersey to Long Island.
NYMTC adopted resolution #2006-2 a council amendment of the 2005-2030 Regional Transportation Plan to include New Jersey Transit's locally preferred alternative (Alternative "P" aka the deep cavern alternative)* from the Access to the Region's Core study
* "G" = Grand Central Terminal; "P" = Penn Station
After I made my comments I stepped out in the hallway, where I met Nassau County Executive, Thomas Suozzi and Executive Commissioner of the Nassau County Planning Commission, Patricia Bourne. Mr. Suozzi commented that the proposal I advocated for seamless service between Connecticut and Nassau County was one he had never heard before. He appeared to show interest in the proposal.

Ideas For Pool House's Future

Editor:

A special meeting of the Parks and Recreation Commission took place last Wednesday evening at the Lapham Community Center. Future plans for the once-threatened Landis Gores-designed modern home, formerly known as the Irwin pool house, were discussed by representatives of the Friends of the Landis Gores Pavilion.

As some of you may know I have actively spoken out in favor of the restoration of this seminal structure. In fact, last year I alerted both Pam Gores, wife of Landis Gores, and Janet Lindstrom, executive director of the New Canaan Historical Society, that the building was still standing, but at the same time that it was slated for demolition. It is my belief that this sturdy and beautiful modern will one day be the central feature of Irwin Park.

The first goal is to raise money to save this modern, but when the final architectural plans are drawn I want to be sure that its twin south-facing wing walls are fully glazed to allow for passive solar heat gain during the chilly but sunny winter months. Mr. Gores' roof overhang design already blocks out strong summer solar heat. If the wings are to be used for exhibits, it would be appropriate to locate a Trombe wall behind the glazing, so that the interior side of the Trombe wall may be used for exhibit material. A Trombe wall, named after Frenchman Felix Trombe, is a south-facing wall, which has thermal mass characteristics. It is normally composed of adobe, concrete or stone.

We have too few examples of passive solar design in New Canaan. This building is situated perfectly for it. Incorporating passive solar design into this building will be an excellent educational tool not only for adults but also for children. It is notable that Landis Gores was a leader in passive solar design. In fact, my family and I attended the opening of Mr. Gores' and his wife Pam's energy-efficient and solar designed House for All Seasons on Soundview Lane in December 1979.

I hope you will join me in supporting the preservation of the Landis Gores modern at Irwin Park and speak out in favor of incorporating south-facing glazing into the building's wings.

If you agree with me that the preservation of this building will greatly add to the character of New Canaan, please don't hesitate to pledge a generous donation.

Those who were unable to attend Wednesday's meeting may contact me either by phone (966-4387) if you agree that preservation of this iconic memorial to New Canaan's modern architects will be treasured in the future as an invaluable town asset.

Richard M. Stowe
New Canaan