Have you ever wondered why, alone of all the expressways in our area (think: the Hutch, Saw Mill, Bronx River, Taconic, Major Degan), I-684 is known by its numeric designation? In fact, it is the Eastern Corridor Expressway. The absence of a proper name lies in the expressway’s history, when it began as I-87. Let us begin by going back in time to 1936, when the Regional Planning Association recommended construction of a network of expressways. In those days highways were “parkways,” because motoring was a leisure activity and it was thought the routes should be pleasant scenery. It was RPA’s intention to supplement the parkways with a system that was open to all traffic (i.e., trucks). World War II interrupted this plan, as men and resources shifted to a war footing. The Federal Highway Act of 1956 initiated construction of a national highway system. Also in 1956 Westchester County’s Planning Department decided to convert NY 22 (Route 22) into an expressway that bypassed both Armonk and Bedford Village. At the same time the County was looking at NY22, New York State’s Department of Public Works selected I-87 as the primary route for north-south traffic through Westchester and Putnam counties. In its wisdom, the NYSDPW decided to cut through the Rockefeller Estate for its placement of I-87. When Nelson Rockefeller became governor in 1961 the interstate was rerouted. The new route was east, along NY22 and began at the Cross Westchester Expressway (I-287) junction with the Hutchinson River Parkway in White Plains. However, these are two separate highways. They still are, but form the base of I-684. There is a sign welcoming drivers to the Eisenhower Interstate System. It was his arduous two month long experience crossing the country in 1919 as a young army officer as well as his admiration of the German autobahn system after the Second World War that prompted him to propose the federal highway program in 1956 that now bears his name. Federal law stipulates that the number and miles of highway are limited and should be situated where need and usefulness are the greatest in order to broadly distribute benefits. Public hearings began in 1962. One can imagine the tremendous controversy generated by placing a six lane highway open to all traffic in a semi-rural area that includes watershed property and wildlife sanctuaries. Meetings that began at 1:00 PM lasted to 5:00 AM. Again the route was revised to cross into Connecticut. This change brought together residents in both Westchester and Fairfield counties, who organized to protest the highway. Eventually Connecticut governor Dempsey approved the cut across Greenwich. New York State troopers patrol the entire route, but in the event of a fatal accident or criminal investigation the NYS Troopers must defer to Connecticut State Police in that area of the highway. The sign “Now entering Greenwich” is meaningful. That state retains the right of way. The Federal government ignored Westchester County’s proposed route and placed the route east, not west, of Byram Lake and between two wildlife sanctuaries. Part of the route follows an old railroad right of way abandoned in 1925. The County went on record opposing construction, stating the highway served a rural not developed area. A tri-state 1966 report “Transportation 1985: A Regional Plan” disagreed, being of the opinion that the new expressway would serve a fast growing suburban area. At that time the prevailing theory was that highways relieved congestion. We now know that if you build a super highway, traffic will come. Approximately 70,000 vehicles use I-684 daily, according to the most recent estimate by the New York State Department of Transportation. There were rumors that IBM influenced the route, bringing the highway into Armonk (a straight path from Harrison, its other facility). The expressway was completed in stages. The first section opened in 1968, and the last in 1974. Until 1968, the route was called I-87 and we now merely refer to it as 684.
The Highway Yard as seen from Route 128. Click to enlarge.
The yard is under excavation and will open to the public March 2010.
North Castle's Highway Yard
I met with Rich Fon, Superintendent of Public Works, Craig Useted, the head of North Castle's highway department, Jamie Norris, his deputy and Jamie Scoli, owner of Westwood Organic, which has negotiated a ten year contract with the Town.
Westwood's deal includes its use of part the Town's highway yard in exchange for the excavation work to improve the yard which is located at the corner of Route 22 and 128. Westwood will make organic soil and mulch available for its own use, and for North Castle residents at no fee.
Discussions between the Town and Westwood started in February 2009. Since then, the Town has changed its leaf program from vacuuming to just the collection of bagged leaves. The deal was struck in an effort to try to reduce costs.
We tried to pinpoint the town's financial savings in leasing the yard to Westwood Organic. A lot of little things add up. The Parks and Highway Departments are looking to cut spending and will use the soil and mulch for various town projects projects. Included in the town board's projected savings of using the yard for recycling collected organic material instead of vacuuming was about $160,000 per year for eliminating the cost of removing the leaves out of town.
In addition , the man hours that would have spent picking up leaves are now being used on many other projects. In the 2008 budget, there was $26,000 in additional highway overtime, which has been eliminated due to this program . This year, the department is down five guys and there would be more overtime and costs if we were still vacuuming leaves. Highway Department head Craig Useted says "the idea is to save money and reduce the town budget. The department is acting responsibly and outsourcing the job at no cost to the Town to reduce the burden of the taxpayers."
Last year's budget also included $12,000 to remove and grind up trees. Dead trees will be accepted and ground up at the site, at additional savings for the town.
Scoli says, "Westwood's goals melded well with North Castle's goal to give services back to save taxpayers' money with respect to organic waste. " Westwood's revenue will be made from charging a fee to landscapers for incoming and outgoing organic material. Westwood is the only privately run company currently conducting this type of operation in Westchester and is headquartered in White Plains.
North Castle's yard will be open to drop-off leaves from anywhere in Westchester for a fee, but Scoli doesn't anticipate big volume here due to various space restrictions and because there are other drop-off sites in Westchester .
A state transfer permit exists limiting North Castle's yard to no more then 1,000 cubic yards of leaves at any one time. To determine a compost pile's cubic yards, the following equation is used: Length in feet X Width in feet X Height in feet, divided by 27 (because there are 27 cubic feet in a cubic yard).
This season the Highway Department is collecting hundreds of bags weekly. Pick-up rotates among the four town zones. Bags are picked up at a resident's curbside, then disposed of at the yard where they eventually will be reused at no cost to the town.
Westwood Organic will process the town's collected leaves and turn it into organic material. Residents will be able to drop off organic waste or can arrange for Westwood to pick it up for a fee.
Contractors will be able to purchase organic material. Compost materials will be in separate bins. Material will be ground up on site and processed at Westwood's various sites. The various other sites are larger and provide more storage room. Westwood will then transport the composted material of topsoil and different types of mulch to the North Castle Yard and place them in bins for residents' use and for contractors to purchase.
North Castle's residents are welcome to unrestricted amounts of topsoil, mulch and chips for no fee. You are encouraged to bring a shovel and large garbage bins or bags.
The new town-wide leaf program has created mixed feelings among residents questioning the town's quality of life and cuts in service. Many residents in North Castle already compost their leaves or blow them into the woods. But what happens when there are no woods on someone's property? Useted encourages all residents to compost. "Composting can occur on any size property and does not require a lot of space."
Check the town's Web site for composting tips. The alternative is to bag the leaves, but some residents are voicing concern about the cost of hiring landscapers to do so, although most likely many of these same residents were already paying landscapers to blow the leaves curbside.
The Town is exploring ways to completely fence its entire complex, looking to hide the yard and make it disappear from view on Route 128. The view is mostly highway equipment that has been there for years. The highway yard has been at this location for more than 60 years. Workmen have planted about 30 7' to 8' evergreen spruce trees along Route 128, and also put up sample cedar fencing. Westwood has offered to donate some landscaping to plant in front of the fence. Town money from the sale of scrap metal was used to purchase the trees.
Rich Fon invites suggestions from the public regarding the design to screen out the yard along Route 128.
"The preparation to excavate the site was extensive," says Scoli. "The excavation included moving earth and scrubby and prickly bushes, with minimal tree removal." The best improvement to the site is the change to the entrance and exit.
In 2004 the state issued the town a permit for a new driveway leading from the yard to Route 128. New York State Department of Transportation has approved the Route 128 curb opening as safe. The permit was renewed this summer.
Westwood is in the process of excavating soil as part of a project to divert all traffic entering and exiting the yard away from Bedford Road's historic area, and direct it instead onto Route 128. Rich Fon doesn't anticipate much increase in traffic. The new traffic pattern will be diverted away from Bedford Road where the Middle School kids often walk into town. Traffic will also be diverted away from the nearby nursery school drop-off.
The cost of Westwood's excavation work hasn't been projected precisely. But Scoli says, if he were hired, the cost would be more than $300-400,000 over 10 years. A precise figure for future years is difficult to project due to the cost for professional equipment, fuel, manpower, insurance and other operating costs.
The yard is anticipated to open and function in March 2010.
Environmental issues are always a concern. There is a stream that runs from the gas station on Route 128 to Mariani's Garden next door to the highway yard. The runoff of the organic materials into the stream is not regulated by New York's Department of Environmental Conservation, but the DEC does run random checks on the material. Scoli says he physically checks all incoming material by sight and smell. He says, "We are selective about material we receive since we produce a premium soil that is sold to wholesalers and nurseries. We therefore have to be careful with the product." Scoli added that "the town is held harmless of all possible problems with the organic products."
Addressing environmental concerns, Westwood should be accountable for professional tests of the incoming and outgoing organic products for metals and bacteria. North Castle resident and conservationist Zenaida Bongaarts suggests that testing for a potential runoff of organic material be done at two points along the stream that runs past the ends of the yard from the corner gas station to Mariani's Garden. She suggests that samples be taken regularly up and down the stream to test for metals, and in the warmer weather, bacteria.
Disclosure: Westwood Organic Recycling has been an advertiser with AllAboutArmonk.com
Click for a partial aerial view of Westchester County Airport
August 23, 2010
Westchester County Airport (HPN) is presently served by seven airlines. The airport has nonstop service to 15 destinations that are listed below.
AirTran Atlanta, GA (ATL) Orlando, FL (MCO) West Palm Beach, FL (PBI)
American Airlines Chicago, IL (ORD)
Cape Air Martha's Vineyard, MA (MVY) Nantucket, MA (ACK) Lebanon, NH (LEB)
Delta Atlanta, GA (ATL) Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, KY (CVG) Detroit, MI (DTW)
jetBlue Fort Lauderdale, FL (FLL) Fort Myers, FL (RSW) Orlando, FL (MCO) Tampa, FL (TPA) West Palm Beach, FL (PBI)
United Chicago, IL (ORD) Washington, DC (IAD)
US Airways Charlotte, NC (CLT) Philadelphia, PA (PHL) Washington, DC (DCA)
Source: Westchestergov.com
Airports
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Jamaica, NY Info: 718-244-4444 www.panynj.gov
Laguardia Airport (LGA) Flushing, NY Info: 718-533-3400 www.panynj.gov
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) Newark, NJ Airport Info: 973-961-6000 www.panynj.gov
At the February 22, 2010 North Castle Planning Board meeting, 11 New King Street, LLC continued their application of an off-site parking structure accommodating up to 1,450 cars that would cater primarily to Westchester County Airport (HPN). This would alleviate an existing shortage of parking for airport customers. The proposed multistory parking structure would have a footprint of approximately 52,000 square feet on a 2.47 acre lot with a 1.2 acre drainage easement, creating two storm water detention basins on an adjacent 4.2 acre lot.
According to Adam Kaufman, North Castle’s Director of Planning, a Draft Scoping Document has been completed and a Full Environmental Assessment Form will follow. The assessment may disclose the project’s potentially adverse impacts; such as changes to wildlife habitat; an additionally created demand for police, fire and highway maintenance services – possibly increasing property taxes; sources of potential air pollutants and greenhouse gases; additional water use and flood water flow; change in traffic flow patterns; and potential runoff causing erosion. The runoff may contain fertilizers and pesticides and thus may affect the water quality in the public drinking water supply of the surrounding Kensico Reservoir. As well, town-regulated wetland buffers and trees may be negatively affected.
The suggested ways to reduce environmental impacts of such mitigation include preservation of waterways, wetlands, and natural habitats as much as possible; cutting down the least number of trees; providing alternative land for wildlife; eliminating the application of fertilizer, herbicide, fungicide and pesticide or the alternative use of organic chemicals as opposed to standard chemicals; reduce the amount of impervious surfaces on site to reduce runoff; and the use of green technologies could be implemented in order to reduce negative effects on air quality.
The Town of North Castle Planning Board is requiring 11 New King Street, LLC to submit alternative proposals that include, but are not limited to (1) reducing the height of the proposed structure, (2) reducing the size of the parking facility, (3) reducing the impact on wetlands, and (4) no impact on wetlands at all. The Planning Board wants to assess the potential for the project to bring new customers and flights to the Westchester County Airport.
The main concern with the parking structure is its environmental impact. Paula DeCaro, a resident of New Rochelle, said, “I’m not distraught, but I am concerned about polluting the drinking water.”
Susan Leifer, a board member of the Citizen’s Airport Advisory Group of Westchester and the Conservation Chair of the Lower Hudson Sierra Club, said, over the last year, there has been a greater frequency of flights in and out of the Westchester County Airport. Potentially, a new parking lot could lead to an increase in the number of flights, which could lead to an airport expansion to accommodate the flight increase. More air traffic would lead to negative effects of air pollution. And in addition, the chemical and fuel runoff will encroach wetlands and affect biodiversity. When asked about possible alternative proposals, she said she would have to wait and see the reports.
Plane Stanavo at Barrett Field, Armonk's Westchester Airport till the mid 1960s.
Armonk Westchester Airport.
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Barrett Field Westchester Airport, Armonk, NY
41,12 North 73.71 North of NY
Located
southwest of Routes 684 and 22, in 1929, the Barrett Field Airport was
located in Armonk. It had a runway of 2500' x 1900' as indicated on the
Rand-McNally, Standard Map of NY. Famous visitors that flew into Barrett Field were Charles Lindbergh in August, 1928 and Amelia Earhart. In
1930 Bartlett Field Airport was renamed Westchester Airport. In 1935,
it was depicted as a municipal, commercial airport on the Regional
Aeronautical Chart. Westchester Airport was just north and connected with Westchester County, Auxillary Airport in 1945. Bill Reidy recollected, “ I had my first flight there (1950?) and it started me on a 40+ year aviation career.” Pappy’s Flying Service operated the airport in 1962. The airport closed sometime between 1965-66 when the owner sold the property to Ramada Inn, La Quinta today. Photos courtesy of North Castle Historical Society. Source.www.airfields-freeman.com
Proposed site
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Parking Update at North White Plains Railroad Station
Years of combined efforts from a study done by the MTA Metro-North Railroad and Westchester County of the North White Plains Railroad parking have lead to refined goals.
The project addresses concerns about impact of the local roads and community surrounding the railroad station. The intention is to reduce vehicular congestion throughout Westchester by improving access to the rail service. The projected goal is to use property owned by Metro-North to provide up to an additional 600 space garage on the east side of the North White Plains station as indicated in above.
Further analysis are required to develop the plan and it is anticipated to be completed in late 2009.
For further study information and updates: MTA & Westchestergov.com Image: MTA & Westchestergov.com
Armonk downtown parking always rears its head when the issue of downtown development is discussed. Our parking enforcer, Angel, can be seen chalking tires of parked cars along Main Street during lunch time, to enforce the one- hour parking limit. To date in 2010, 49 tickets were issued for one-hour parking violations on Main Street, while 121 tickets were issued from May 2009 to present. Parking has become an important issue in the commercial downtown district. When considering local restaurant seating, the Town Board must consider the ratio between the seats permitted in a restaurant per square foot of interior space to the building's ownership of parking spaces. For instance, the building of Armonk Country Kitchen includes the parking property in the lot behind their business, and therefore, they can have 24 seats in their eatery. On the other hand, Cafe Norma's building owns fewer parking spaces, and, as a result, they are more restricted in their seating.
Creating a central downtown parking district (if and only if agreed upon by the building and business owners, as well as the town) would permit a more proportionate allocation of parking spaces. A buy-in parking district would present an option for business owners to fulfill the requirements for building expansions, and as mentioned previously, to also satisfy the restaurant seating requirements. The parking district could be supported by a maintenance fee, which would cover the costs of overdue improvements on Main Street such as keeping sidewalks clean and properly maintaining the rear parking lot. The plan would include the following provisions: cleaning Main Street, paving and striping parking spaces, fencing and cleaning the dumpsters, and finally, installing appropriate lighting in the back parking lot. Expansion of downtown parking is currently under consideration of the town board. Two lots behind Main Street, in the back of Kent Place are being reviewed. The town has had its eye on the Verizon parking lot for decades. As a result, Councilman Diane Roth has begun talks with Verizon about the possibility of allocating a section of their lot, which is adjacent to the library, for parking. The question is: Will Verizon consider allowing public use of their property? Perhaps as a tax write-off?
Another parking option under consideration is a more viable plan using town-owned property. Discussions during a recent Town Board work session included reviewing plans for a new parking lot to be constructed on the far side of Kent Place, near the dumpsters and behind the soon-to-be home of the Farmer's Market. The area has been mapped out and will be further reviewed to expand downtown parking.
Roth says, "The publicly owned parking program can't be given away." A downtown parking district would in fact satisfy commercial property parking demands. If Armonk were to have a parking district, Main Street building and business owners could purchase non-designated parking spots. This solution would accomplish several goals. Requirements on seating areas and square footage would be easier to satisfy, commercial property parking demands would be met, and income for the town would be generated, creating a win-win situation for everyone. The advantage of increasing parking downtown is to entice shoppers to
shop Main Street Armonk.
Further discussions of the parking arrangements included making the far lot available for employee parking, initiating a two-hour parking restriction in the back of Main Street, and maintaining the one-hour parking regulation on Main Street.
Filling up at the station was a hand-made, three window, 1932 Ford. Eight years to build, it has two seats and a sunroof. Top speed is 120mph, although it's mostly used in shows.
Parking enforcement is in effect for one hour parking on Main Street.
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PARKING REGULATIONS
Parking Law enforcement officer on Main St., Armonk has informed us
that parking regulations include one hour parking limit along downtown
Main Street.
What people generally understand as "parking" is legally divided into three categories: parking, standing and stopping. A NO PARKING sign means you may stop only temporarily to load or unload merchandise or passengers. A NO STANDING sign means you may stop only temporarily to load or unload passengers. A NO STOPPING sign means you may stop only in order to obey a traffic sign, signal or officer, or to avoid conflicts with other vehicles. Besides posted parking, standing and stopping rules, there are statewide rules not always indicated by signs: Parking, standing or stopping is not allowed: Within 15 feet (5 m) of a fire hydrant, unless a licensed driver remains in the vehicle to move it in an emergency. On the road side of a parked vehicle ("double parking"). On a sidewalk or in a crosswalk. In an intersection, unless permitted by signs or parking meters. On railroad tracks. Alongside or opposite road excavations, construction or other obstructions if your vehicle would block traffic. Within 30 feet (10 m) of a pedestrian safety zone, unless another distance is marked. On a bridge or in a tunnel. Parking or standing is not allowed: In front of a driveway. Within 20 feet (6 m) of a crosswalk at an intersection. Within 30 feet (10 m) of a traffic light, STOP sign or YIELD sign. Within 20 feet (6 m) of a fire station driveway, or within 75 feet (23 m) on the opposite side of the road. Along a curb that has been cut down, lowered or constructed for access to the sidewalk. In addition, you may not park your vehicle within 50 feet (15 m) of a railroad crossing. Source: NYDMV
RESERVED PARKING FOR THE DISABLED
Parking reserved for people with disabilities is not merely a convenience, it is a legal requirement. These special parking spaces for motorists with disabilities ensure safe and equal access to goods and services, access which is taken for granted by most of us. You can help by parking in reserved spaces only if you have a permit or plates for people with disabilities, and only when the person who received the permit or plates is in the vehicle. Source:NYDMV
The Story Behind "Gasoline"
By Peter R. Limburg October 4, 2009
Everybody
worries about the price of
gasoline. It is one of the prime indicators of how our economy is
faring at any given moment. But how did this smelly, highly flammable, and all-but-indispensable
liquid that powers our cars, our lawn mowers and leaf blowers, and a
host of other devices get its name?
For
our purposes, the story goes back to 1855, when a brilliant chemist at Yale
University, Benjamin Silliman, Jr., discovered that by distilling the black,
viscous, malodorous “rock oil” that oozed from the ground in western
Pennsylvania at different temperatures, he could obtain a number of useful
constituents. The most important at the time was kerosene, or lamp oil,
which quickly took the place of whale oil in the nation’s lamps. There was also
lubricating oil. There was paraffin, solid at room temperature, which made
excellent candles. But there was also a lighter-weight constituent that was
used for cleaning fluid, to remove grease spots from soiled clothing, and to
kill lice and their eggs. Then someone found that it could be used to make
illuminating gas for street lamps. The name “gasoline” was born.
Silliman's
clients, a pair of New York lawyers named George Bissell and Jonathan G.
Eveleth, inspired by salt wells they had seen in upstate New York, hired a retired railroad conductor named Edwin Laurentine Drake to
try drilling for oil. Professional drillers jeered. But Drake hit upon the idea
of using a casing of iron pipe to line the well shaft so that it would not
collapse. In 1859, to everyone's astonishment, Drake struck oil at a depth of 69 feet at Titusville,
in the backwoods of western Pennsylvania. (Actually, Drake did not do the
drilling himself; a drunken well-driller named “Uncle Billy Smith” did the actual
work while Drake handled the business end of the project). An oil boom quickly
ensued, and the age of petroleum was upon us.
According to the Town Master Plan there are four bus routes operating in North Castle. Two routes are on a full time schedule, while a third route is local service and one is express only.
