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October 23, 2007
Newark arena transportation plan suggests flaws in ESDC's AY "peak hour" analysis
Atlantic Yards Report
Two days before the Prudential Center, home ice for the NJ Devils hockey team, is set to open, Norman Oder examines the transportation plan for the Newark arena, compares it to the transportation analysis for Atlantic Yards and the Barclays Center arena, and concludes that the Newark analysis "casts further doubt on the Atlantic Yards environmental review." [Click image to enlarge.]
You'd expect the operators of a new sports arena and local officials to encourage those attending events to get to the area a bit early, not just to avoid traffic and transit snags but also to spend some money at the arena and neighborhood facilities.
That's certainly the case in Newark, where the draft transportation plan (4.4 MB) for the Prudential Center, prepared by Sam Schwartz PLLC, the transportation engineering and planning firm founded by "Gridlock Sam," recommends that drivers "aim to arrive in Newark 90 minutes early, allowing for traffic, parking, and time to enjoy downtown." The arena opens October 25. (Emphasis on "90 minutes early" added in graphic.)
The advice in Newark casts further doubt on the Atlantic Yards environmental review conducted by the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC), which chose the peak hour of 7-8 pm to analyze traffic conditions, even though games would most likely begin at 7:30 pm.
Visitors to the planned Barclays Center arena in Brooklyn might well get the same "arrive early" advice Schwartz's firm is offering in Newark. It's reasonable to expect Atlantic Yards developer Forest City Ratner to try to draw patrons to retail, restaurants, and bars in project buildings, and also to its nearby Atlantic Center and Atlantic Terminal malls.
Posted by lumi at October 23, 2007 7:42 AM