Train-tormented Borden Ave residents receive response from LIRR
Sunset over the LIRR on Borden Ave, Long Island City
Today we received an email from a local tipster who informed us that a letter was sent to the LIRR by residents at One Hunters Point, who, as we all know, have been legitimately tormented by the endless train idling. Turns out they actually received an “encouraging response from the LIRR which articulates a full set of actions to address the complaint.” Check it out:
So the residents will have to wait till the outside temperature is more than 50 F! That’s months away…and then, the noise will be back full swing next fall/winter again!!! To put an end to the noise completely, the rail yard has to shut down…not happenin!!
The noise isn’t all that bad. It’s just a hum. I mean, we all bought places around there, knowing of this train fact. I bought it since I found the rumble to be acceptable. We can’t expect LIRR to close down the track just because some newcomers to the neighborhood can’t stand the noise which was ALREADY present.
Actually, the train yard is a lot quieter than it had been, even now during the winter. Kudos to the LIRR for responding to its neighbors and taking steps to improve the situation.
Short of putting a lid over the damn thing, the LIRR yard is always going to present at least some problems. When Hunters Point South is developed, it will cut off that area from the rest of the neighborhood.
3, is a broker.
How will it cut off HPS from the rest of the area. It’s not like the LIRR is going to extend their area to the water, they’re (LIRR) are already there.
6, I meant that the LIRR, even if it were totally silent and devoid of trains, will act like a barrier that blocks the surrounding neighborhood to the east, including Vernon Blvd. and Jackson Ave. I think that this will make portions of HPS, especially those buildings near the Newtown Creek, feel like enclaves. The only easy access to the southernmost parts of the HPS will be from 2nd Street. You can’t get to 5th Street or Vernon Blvd. easily (or at all) without walking across the tracks. Some sections of HPS will be pretty long walks to the shops and restaurants on Vernon and Jackson.
“Tormented” (headline) is more than a little dramatic. I live at One Hunters Point, facing south, and because I work during weekdays, I haven’t seen (let alone heard) a train in months – they are not there at night nor are they there on the weekends, ever. What I do have is a perfect southern view of the East River and three bridges that is permanently protected. I have to admit, that I feel a little bit like people are jealous of these buildings, so they go out of their way to bad mouth them and stir up controversy. I am glad that people in this building have taken action, at the very least it shows that there are resourceful professionals that live here who will do whatever it takes to protect their investment (including getting the NYPD to change practices and release a full block of parking spots on Borden for residential use). But either way, I love living here, facing south, and enjoy peace, tranquility, sun shine, boats and skyline whenever I am home.
#7 , did it occur that there may be shops and resturants down there?
Couldn’t the city build a sound barrier that would cover at least half of the tracks to deflect the noise and mitigate the overall impact? Something important to note is that the neighborhood is changing. It’s becoming more and more residential so like it or not the city should support the change in every way, especially since Bloomberg is investing 75MM+ in the area near Citibank.
They told you that South view was protected? Hunters Point South does encompass two of those lower buildings as sites – and even though it may not be for a long time – your view is indeed going to change. Googles Hunters Point South
11, Do you know the difference between South and West? Unless they plan to float buildings in the canal or on the East River, my view is most certainly protected. But, thanks for your genuine concern.
@#12, I think South views are an eyesore…one has to look past the ugly LIRR tracks and dumping ground to get the distant view you are talking about (and the three bridges appear more like three dots) but hey, if you live there and if you like it, that’s fine. As #11 said, the Hunters Point South development will block your views. What will be left for your viewing pleasure will be the tunnel ventilation towers and some water with no significant landmark manhattan views. But granted, you will get lots of sun, noise and pollution from the idling engines. Back to the context of this post, I do agree that it looks like the developer and condo board is being socially conscious and proactive, a good albeit rare sign these days. MTA is listening, which is half the battle won!
13, I bet you have a great view from your ground floor studio rental next to a gas station. You’ll just have to take my word on the views; given your social prowess, I doubt you’ll ever be invited to any of the homes in our building.
This is what i was talking about months ago…it was going to be one hack of along walk to the 7 train, and especially late at night…
Nobody will buy these places so might as well face the fact unless you build a bridge over the tracks and put in a moving people track like at airports
This is a disaster waiting to happen…and stop thinking LUXURY and make it cheap section 8 or workforce housing…
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You can’t get to 5th Street or Vernon Blvd. easily (or at all) without walking across the tracks. Some sections of HPS will be pretty long walks to the shops and restaurants on Vernon and Jackson.
Hey 13, sure the views aren’t perfect, but the south-facing apartments do have some nice views of the water, the bridges and downtown Brooklyn that are likely not to change. There are also views of downtown Manhattan that may be affected in some way years from now, but who knows how. And now, thanks to efforts of residents in the building, the LIRR has substantially cut down on the noise and pollution from the train yard.
These are good things. What is your problem? Did you have a contract for an apartment in the building and walked away from your deposit, so now you are bitter and still trying to knock the building to feel better?
13, eyesore? Those are just typical urban views in NYC, and I don’t see how they are really that much different from plenty of other views in parts of Manhattan. And on a high floor with sunlight all day streaming in all day long, it’s easily better than many places in the city.
I swear, why do half of you people even bother moving to New York? All you do is bitch and complain about the place and set about to change it into a Friends TV set. It’s really pretty irritating.
I am actually looking forward to hunterpoint south. I wouldn’t mind the walk at all and I actually view it as a plus. I think it will have a highly residential feel as it will be bordered on all sides by water and the train line. I think it will be sort of like living on a cul-de-sac. Maybe I’m alone in this.
The content of this article and the fact that the complaint regarding noise was lodged proves that the issue is legitimate. Looks like there are some residents commenting here that noise is a non-issue or that it’s acceptable. Then why did the residents complain to the MTA to begin with??? Since when did rail yards and garages become typical urban views in NYC??? Residents are becoming so defensive for obvious reasons but the purpose here is to discuss the reality so let’s stop pretending. My 2 cents…MTA reacting to the complaints is a great stride and Hunters Point South development will certainly clean up the current views and establish a better neighborhood. The more the neighborhood becomes residential, the larger will be the voice to improve the noise issue further and other issues such as this…and that’s a good thing!
I would also add to No. 19 that the fact that the MTA responded in the way that they did indicated the the issue was valid and that they had been basically either unaware or uncaring of the fact that this has been going on for year. There is strength in numbers and they should continue to apply pressure if the noise is still a problem. I don’t understand why anyone would rush to the defense of a corporation over their neighbors who may be suffering.
kim, what you said is ridiculous. The noise WAS an issue. The residents had discussions and correspondence with the LIRR. The LIRR then took steps to substantially reduce the noise. NOW, the noise has been reduced so significantly that it is no longer annoying or a problem for the residents.
What is so hard to understand?
20, 21, thanks for acknowledging that it was an issue unlike a few others in this forum who claim that it never has been. Keep it real and honest…that’s my point! And by the way, you can’t assume noise is no longer a problem for residents just because it is not a problem for you. There are many that still find the current noise and diesel smoke emmission objectionable, but agree that this was a positive initiative and we should not give up as the community grows.
Like what #18 had to say!
Let’s get something straight: The idling was never okay. There are just now people living close enough to do something about it. Residents who can’t hear or feel the rumble are still breathing the polluted LIRR air nearby. There is no excuse for this idling in 2010, regardless of the economy. We shouldn’t allow people to pump diesel fumes into our air when there is technology that can remedy this problem. I appreciate the LIRR’s initial steps, but there’s a LONG WAY to go.
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Good job! Are the noise levels acceptable now or is more work needed to remediate the issue?