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February 7, 2008
City study casts major doubt on state's AY parking availability estimates
Atlantic Yards Report
The Atlantic Yards Environmental Impact Study (EIS) authored by the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC) claimed that there's plenty of on-street parking spaces available around the proposed Atlantic Yards site (for example: 47% occupancy on weekdays from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.). Now, the New York City Department of Transportation has taken a look at this issue. Guess what -- it looks like the EIS is full of baloney.
A new city analysis has cast significant doubt on the Empire State Development Corporation's (ESDC) generous estimate, in the Atlantic Yards environmental review, of the availability of on-street parking in the vicinity of the project site.
It was hard for Brooklyn residents to believe the ESDC's claim (p. 12-20) that "[u]tilization of these on-street parking spaces was found to be approximately 65 percent in the 5-6 PM period, 47 percent in the 7-8 PM period, and 65 percent in the Saturday 1-2 PM period." ... The ESDC's response was essentially a variant on that famous Marx Brothers line: Who are you gonna believe, me or your lying eyes?
Concerning the State case brought against the ESDC, the court is forced to accept as fact whatever is presented in the EIS.
The court is not permitted to second-guess the agency or substitute its judgment for the agency. That sets a pretty high bar, since it essentially accepts an agency's response to evidence presented.
But what if another agency offers seemingly contradictory evidence? That might raise questions about the "hard look."
However, Brooklynites know how to call things as they see 'em, as evidenced by some of the responses to the EIS:
Two years ago you could find a parking space fairly easily in Fort Greene. Now people are afraid to drive because they would lose their parking space. The EIS states there is ample parking when this is simply untrue.
...
The DEIS suggests low 47 percent to 65 percent current utilization rates for on-street parking in near proximity to the proposed arena. These numbers are unrealistic. There is so little on-street available parking that there is competition for double parking spaces between church-goers and police and fire department workers. Availability has been worsened by overflow parking from the Atlantic Center Mall.
...
The DEIS woefully underestimates the existing capacity for on-street parking and incorrectly assumes the project will have little or no impact.
Posted by steve at February 7, 2008 5:36 AM