b'MEMBER NEWSNYC Billionaire Pushes for Expansion ofNYC Ferry to Points in QueensN ewYorkersmayfinallybeannouncedan$800millionrevampThecitychoseHornblowerGroup getting an easier way to reachof Arthur Ashe Stadium.as its operator in 2023, awarding it a LaGuardiaAirportorCitifive-year contract. While scenic, the FieldinQueensfromManhattan.Ahead of those plans, it would be anboats are heavily subsidized by tax-Known to be a logistical mess with con- ideal time to begin this service to pro- payers. The city had pitched in about gested highways, crowded public trans- videconstructionworkers,fansand$13perferrypassenger,according portation, and regular traffic jams, thecommunitymembersaconvenientto a six-year audit City Comptroller trip has historically been unpredictable.alternative to coming to the area byBradLanderreleasedin2022that The frustrations compound during bigcar, the letter reads.criticizedthesystemforhighcost eventslikeMetsgames,whichdrawand financial mismanagement. That over 37,000 people, or the U.S. OpenBest known for its ferries gliding in andsupport has dropped down to $8.55 attended by more than 1 million. out of Manhattan, NYC Ferry, as theper rider. system is called, is used by seven million In a letter to New York City Mayortravelers each year on routes that coverRichards has been pushing for a ferry EricAdamsandQueensBorough70 nautical miles to all five boroughs.connectingNorthQueenstoother President Donovan Richards Jr., MetsWhileitsoverseenbythecitysEco- partsofthecity.Hesaidtheletter ownerandhedge-fundbillionairenomic Development Corporation, thecame after a request to business lead-Steve Cohen pitched the idea of add- system is operated by a private company.ers for support. ingtwonewNYCFerrystops:one for LaGuardia and one for the Mets baseballstadium.Hisargument? With congestion only getting worse in the area, ferry service is a key part of mitigating parking and traffic issues, Cohen wrote in his letter. The letter was also signed by officials from the citys soccer team, Billie Jean KingNationalTennisCenter,and LaGuardiaGatewayPartnersallofWe do whom agree that the additional ferry stops would help alleviate congestion. more than collaborate;TheWilletsPointneighborhoodinwe empower Queens,whichsitsadjacenttoCiti Field, is poised for significant develop- you through ment in the coming years. The Newpartnership York City FC, the citys professional soccer team, is expected to open Eti-hadParkthecitysfirstdedicated soccerstadiumin2027.TheU.S.Kongsberg MaritimeTennisAssociationhasalsorecentlyProtechting People and Planet45 JUNE 2025'