The entrance to the NYC Ferry at India Street has been flooding for months (if not more than a year) and the city vowed to take action after last week’s flooded ferry commute where multiple ferry riders shared their experiences.
Do not ever say NYers are not nice. NYers are the NICEST. Here is one now, taking time to drive fellow NYers out of flash flood zone at the Greenpoint stop of East River Ferry. He came back several times to take 25 people to dry ground. Why? Because he is a NYer. A mensch. pic.twitter.com/m5mW9wG6rN
Due to ponding at Greenpoint as a result of severe rain, service to Greenpoint is temporarily suspended until further notice. A free shuttle bus between Greenpoint and Hunters Point South will be available. For details, see service alert here: https://t.co/ezqLHZIJBX
Now the developers of “The Greenpoint,” the 40-story tower/mixed-use development nearing completion at the adjacent lot on India Street, have reached out to Greenpointers stating that they intend to remedy the situation:
While our development is not the cause of flooding on India Street near the ferry terminal, we are willing to help ease the pain for commuters while the City resolves the underlying issues regarding drainage on its property. The Greenpoint would like to immediately install a temporary elevated walkway connecting the current dead end of the northern sidewalk directly to the ferry landing on the south side. This work could be completed within days presuming cooperation and support of local officials, and would be performed at our cost. We believe this would provide a clear path for commuters and demonstrate our commitment to the good of the local community.
We have learned that the lack of proper drainage along the dead end of India Street is a condition that long predates our project. According to City records, approved drainage has never existed there. The permanent resolution of this lies with the City, and may be a slow process. The Greenpoint previously proposed alternative permanent solutions to applicable City agencies, which were rejected, but we are glad to revisit them with the City in light of the growing difficulties being faced by so many commuters.
The current walkway for India Street ferry commuters that often floods during rain.
Commuters cross the flooded India Street entrance to the NYC Ferry during the rain on Wednesday evening (via Jonathan Vanasco)
The routine flooding of the India Street entrance to the NYC Ferry is finally receiving attention from city officials, but the lack of sewage and drainage infrastructure underneath the street may take years to fully construct, NBC 4 reports.
NBC 4 paid a visit to India Street to speak with Greenpoint ferry commuters on Thursday to see how they’re dealing with the flood waters, that Greenpointers reported is an ongoing problem. The current makeshift pedestrian walkway is sandwiched between “The Greenpoint” waterfront development and construction fences in an area prone to flooding.
“It’s impacting hundreds of commuters and it totally undermines all of our efforts to have the ferry be a viable way to commute to work,” NYC Councilman Stephen Levin tells NBC 4 in the video.
“It’s still a public street from our understanding, which means as far as I can tell, that it’s the city’s responsibility to make sure there’s adequate drainage,” Levin said.
NYC Ferry canceled service to the India St. stop in Greenpoint on Thursday night.
The NYC Ferry implemented a shuttle bus to transport commuters last night as service at India Street was bypassed during the rain. Serviced returned to normal on Friday morning.
The official reason for last night’s ferry service disruption was “ponding” along India Street.
A city spokesman told NBC 4 that they’re “working on a long-term solution to get the sewers up and running,” but that may take “years.”
Flooded India Street on 5/29 (via Jonathan Vanasco)
The India Street pier entrance has been flooding for months during rain episodes and multiple people have reached out to Greenpointers with photos from last night’s flooded commute.
Flooded India Street next to “The Greenpoint” on 5/29 during the rain (via Sean Hart)
“I love the ferry, I feel like most people in Greenpoint who take it, love it,” said Sean Hart, a Greenpoint resident who takes the ferry at India Street approximately three to five times per week.
The flooded India Street entrance on 5/29 during the rain (via Sean Hart)
But Hart’s love for the ferry has come with multiple instances of dodging the flood waters on India Street next to “The Greenpoint” development, where pedestrians are prohibited from accessing the new walkway that is policed by construction workers.
“A few months ago, I went to take the ferry, it was on a rainy day as well, and I noticed a similar level of flood and I wasn’t sure what to do,” Hart said.
“I remember even stepping over to the area where the condo is and I remember there was a pretty rude angry foreman,” he said.
The flooded India Street entrance on 5/29 during the rain (via Sean Hart)
