Great Kills Transportation Study Walking Tour

[Rose Uscianowski]

Hi all, 

I wanted to share a super interesting project involving Great Kills. It draws on the Great Kills Transportation Study, which the Department of City Planning introduced in a Zoom call earlier this year. As a reminder, the study seeks to create a more walkable, dynamic, and inviting experience for pedestrians in the areas surrounding the Great Kills Train Station.To draw on the study, they have shared a self-guided walk route/ worksheet to collect ideas for various potential street space enhancements. I know Bob and Justin had a couple of thoughts on this.

The tour could be a great group activity and chance to guide planning decisions. Let me know if you are interested in doing this together. The proposed route and worksheet is at the attached link. Let me know if you need access. 

--

Rose Uscianowski (she/her/they/theirs)

Staten Island and South Brooklyn Organizer

Transportation Alternatives

C: (347) 213-1340

@TransAlt | TransAlt.org

Our mission is to reclaim New York City’s streets from the automobile and advocate for better walking, biking, and public transit for all New Yorkers. Donate or become a member today!

[Robert DeBiase]

I'm interested in doing this as a group activity. That way we can bounce ideas off each other.

Bob

---

From: Rose Uscianowski <rose.usc...@transalt.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 6:18 PM
To: tastate...@googlegroups.com <TAState...@googlegroups.com>; Karen E. Lund <k5l...@gmail.com>; Justin Wood <jbwo...@yahoo.com>; Robert DeBiase <robert....@outlook.com>
Subject: Great Kills Transportation Study Walking Tour

 

[ROY FISCHMAN]

I don't see a date for this as yet. Is there a date now?

--
--
Please Note: Transportation Alternatives is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan organization. This email and all content heretofore is strictly informational and educational and in no way should be considered an endorsement of any political candidate or political party. Any interpretation to the contrary is in opposite of the intent of the sender.
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Transportation Alternatives Staten Island Activist Committee" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to TAStatenIslan...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit

https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/TAStatenIsland/IA0PPF04DCE520EC18AE696256A5EA3BCE793D7A%40IA0PPF04DCE520E.namprd12.prod.outlook.com

.

[Karen E. Lund]

I would love to do this as a group. 

Can we do it on a weekday, please, as my weekends are full? Monday's weather forecast looks good, if we can pull it together that quickly. 

Otherwise I will definitely do a solo walk--but it sounds fun as a group. 

Karen 

[C MathLady]

Yes, I would be interested in doing it as well, maybe on a Wednesday.

--

--
Please Note: Transportation Alternatives is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan organization. This email and all content heretofore is strictly informational and educational and in no way should be considered an endorsement of any political candidate or political party. Any interpretation to the contrary is in opposite of the intent of the sender.
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Transportation Alternatives Staten Island Activist Committee" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to TAStatenIslan...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/TAStatenIsland/CANqhJv%3D3fCmjb21qqcBMKYCtD80WtAtusNDWGmOtvQ1nSQtm1A%40mail.gmail.com.

--

www.multipure.com/coppa

[Rose Uscianowski]

Roy,

There is no date for the walking tour because we haven't set one yet. Now that it looks like there's consensus support for doing this as group walk, I'm happy to set up a date! 

• Everyone- If you're interested in doing a group walking tour of downtown Great Kills to collect feedback for the DCP on ways to improve walkability and connectivity, please reply with your upcoming availability!

Karen- If others can do Monday, I agree that the weather looks ideal.

Rose Uscianowski (she/her/they/theirs)

Staten Island and South Brooklyn Organizer

Transportation Alternatives

C: (347) 213-1340

@TransAlt | TransAlt.org

Our mission is to reclaim New York City’s streets from the automobile and advocate for better walking, biking, and public transit for all New Yorkers. Donate or become a member today!

[Karen E. Lund]

Chris wrote that she likes Wednesday. The forecast isn't as good, but I could do it after about 1:30 pm. Tuesday, also a chance of rain, but I am available so long as it's just a light drizzle. 

Karen

[ROY FISCHMAN]

Im available Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday next week. But I currently have an arthritic neck and won't know until that morning if I can make it

Sent from AOL on Android

On Thu, Nov 20, 2025 at 17:45, Karen E. Lund

<k5l...@gmail.com> wrote:

--

--
Please Note: Transportation Alternatives is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan organization. This email and all content heretofore is strictly informational and educational and in no way should be considered an endorsement of any political candidate or political party. Any interpretation to the contrary is in opposite of the intent of the sender.
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Transportation Alternatives Staten Island Activist Committee" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to TAStatenIslan...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit

https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/TAStatenIsland/CANqhJv%3D7mNSnsob7Qo37L3YxzDnYxei5GcjcA8TvVfoF06u4CQ%40mail.gmail.com

.

[Robert DeBiase]

I'm available Wednesday the 26^th and Friday the 28^th 

Bob  

---

From: ROY FISCHMAN <ro...@aol.com>
Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2025 6:18 PM
To: TAState...@googlegroups.com <TAState...@googlegroups.com>; Rose Uscianowski <rose.usc...@transalt.org>
Cc: Robert DeBiase <robert....@outlook.com>; tastate...@googlegroups.com <TAState...@googlegroups.com>; Justin Wood <jbwo...@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [TASI] Re: Great Kills Transportation Study Walking Tour

 

[C MathLady]

Let's have a few possibilities open , maybe leave it  dependent on the weather.

www.multipure.com/coppa

--

--
Please Note: Transportation Alternatives is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan organization. This email and all content heretofore is strictly informational and educational and in no way should be considered an endorsement of any political candidate or political party. Any interpretation to the contrary is in opposite of the intent of the sender.
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Transportation Alternatives Staten Island Activist Committee" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to TAStatenIslan...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/TAStatenIsland/CABXm1zRon8Z5%2BzFZ34K0vg00qS1M26TJb%3DwZOVszekJU-N%3DUpA%40mail.gmail.com.

[C MathLady]

I could also do it on Thursdays.  We should watch  the weather reports.

www.multipure.com/coppa

[Rose Uscianowski]

Hey all, 

This Friday looks to be cold but sunny and otherwise nice. Does Friday work? I could do 1 PM or later

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/TAStatenIsland/CA%2BqvzuJobYmzQwkSODgR06LvOtjZLM5_hM_F4fRZuXTDszERhw%40mail.gmail.com.

[Robert DeBiase]

Friday is fine for me, and 1 PM is good.

Bob

---

From: 'Rose Uscianowski' via Transportation Alternatives Staten Island Activist Committee <TAState...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 25, 2025 6:49 PM
To: TAState...@googlegroups.com <TAState...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [TASI] Re: Great Kills Transportation Study Walking Tour

 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/TAStatenIsland/CABXm1zQMTKO58_Hhr%3DyHE%2BsZGOcN%3DKD4Y-neJgGoqnBOznT5cg%40mail.gmail.com.

[ROY FISCHMAN]

Friday at 1pm. Where are we meeting?

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/TAStatenIsland/IA0PPF04DCE520ED5BAF58ACD6499277B5093D1A%40IA0PPF04DCE520E.namprd12.prod.outlook.com.

[Rose Uscianowski]

Roy- I'm waiting to hear back from at least one or two others. If I hear from a critical mass that Friday at 1 works, then I propose meeting at Brew Bar at 3965 Amboy Rd. This way, we'll have a warm place to wait until everyone is present. 

Rose Uscianowski (she/her/they/theirs)

Staten Island and South Brooklyn Organizer

Transportation Alternatives

C: (347) 213-1340

@TransAlt | TransAlt.org

Our mission is to reclaim New York City’s streets from the automobile and advocate for better walking, biking, and public transit for all New Yorkers. Donate or become a member today!

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/TAStatenIsland/531869517.80211.1764121544831%40mail.yahoo.com.

[C MathLady]

I can be there but don't like bars/ drink alcohol . Is there a coffee shop or library to meet at instead?

www.multipure.com/coppa

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/TAStatenIsland/CABXm1zRPYuFXVAXB%3Dq-%3DhBaZ6R68XRmWnS5dvwDSge7DsDkY4A%40mail.gmail.com.

[Rose Uscianowski]

Brew Bar is a coffee shop

Rose Uscianowski (she/her/they/theirs)

Staten Island and South Brooklyn Organizer

Transportation Alternatives

C: (347) 213-1340

@TransAlt | TransAlt.org

Our mission is to reclaim New York City’s streets from the automobile and advocate for better walking, biking, and public transit for all New Yorkers. Donate or become a member today!

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/TAStatenIsland/CA%2Bqvzu%2BsD%2Bu3azujD-QnBP9U16FvaVnVUjTHJphEQdN7HPgUcQ%40mail.gmail.com.

[C MathLady]

Oh, okay

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/TAStatenIsland/CABXm1zS3mAn0eFGFjm%2B_OK0YYeGGaVYrRV7u-5iVYYDPxwUNEA%40mail.gmail.com.

--

www.multipure.com/coppa

[Karen E. Lund]

I can be there Friday. 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/TAStatenIsland/CABXm1zQMTKO58_Hhr%3DyHE%2BsZGOcN%3DKD4Y-neJgGoqnBOznT5cg%40mail.gmail.com.

[Ted Lochwyn]

Will be with you all in spirit. Dealing with a foot problem that rules out taking lengthy recreational walks. 

Best, 

Ted

[Rose Uscianowski]

I wish you a quick recovery, Ted! In the meantime I look forward to seeing the rest of you on Friday at 1!

Rose Uscianowski (she/her/they/theirs)

Staten Island and South Brooklyn Organizer

Transportation Alternatives

C: (347) 213-1340

@TransAlt | TransAlt.org

Our mission is to reclaim New York City’s streets from the automobile and advocate for better walking, biking, and public transit for all New Yorkers. Donate or become a member today!

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/TAStatenIsland/b2a5f712-315f-4a5d-8a9d-9a034d6c8460n%40googlegroups.com.

[C MathLady]

I know that pain!  I hope it heals soon, Ted!

 Friday at 1PM.  

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/TAStatenIsland/CABXm1zQnnmP0VD4m4YkxRhEP_5h6TiF34TZaeh5F0Aw2YHBXsA%40mail.gmail.com.

--

www.multipure.com/coppa

[ROY FISCHMAN]

I empathize with you Ted. I am dealing with an arthritic neck. Hopefully I'll be okay with the walk on Friday 

Sent from AOL on Android

On Wed, Nov 26, 2025 at 14:16, C MathLady

<chris...@gmail.com> wrote:

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/TAStatenIsland/CA%2BqvzuJu-9yGTQhG0Y1798ipE-Fcukop7B-5DaZgovazw4y-YQ%40mail.gmail.com.

[Ted Lochwyn]

Wow! Thanks so much for your kind words, everyone. It's healing, but frustratingly slow.  Enjoy the tour!

[C MathLady]

Hi guys, 

I thought I'd be able to go with you all.  I was sick for the past two days and just getting over it 

. The cold &  windy weather is convincing me to stay home another day.

Chris

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/TAStatenIsland/3b822803-1cf2-44bf-8218-c50512578fb1n%40googlegroups.com.

--

www.multipure.com/coppa

[Rose Uscianowski]

No worries! Feel better, Chris!

Rose Uscianowski (she/her/they/theirs)

Staten Island and South Brooklyn Organizer

Transportation Alternatives

C: (347) 213-1340

@TransAlt | TransAlt.org

Our mission is to reclaim New York City’s streets from the automobile and advocate for better walking, biking, and public transit for all New Yorkers. Donate or become a member today!

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/TAStatenIsland/CA%2BqvzuJBChRAaQr%2BUfzCrXn5asXp%3DkvFRUAj%2BjJJfo%3DgX83Sag%40mail.gmail.com.

[Rose Uscianowski]

I'm on the train, but might be a couple minutes late

Rose Uscianowski (she/her/they/theirs)

Staten Island and South Brooklyn Organizer

Transportation Alternatives

C: (347) 213-1340

@TransAlt | TransAlt.org

Our mission is to reclaim New York City’s streets from the automobile and advocate for better walking, biking, and public transit for all New Yorkers. Donate or become a member today!

[C MathLady]

Thanks, Rose!

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/TAStatenIsland/CABXm1zTkR4sig5uwqoCH-9MEsHEhmXT52Z%2B9rDyTWg7-tXpRhw%40mail.gmail.com.

--

www.multipure.com/coppa

[Rose Uscianowski]

Hey all,

Drawing from our comments during the Great Kills Walk and notes from Karen and myself, I have drafted a document (here) summarizing our responses to several questions in the DCP's Worksheet. We have not yet discussed the bike lanes on Cleveland Pl and Brown Ave, the Nelson Ave bus lane, the pedestrianized street network, or area-wide parking management. We can address these topics in a follow-up Zoom call.

In the meantime, I have a few action items for you:

• Please review the draft notes and let me know if you have any additions. Once finalized, we will share them with the DCP.
• Send me any notes you took during or after the walk, if you have not done so already. (Psst- Cheers to Karen for sending her notes. They were super helpful!)
• Let me know when you are available for a follow-up Zoom call to discuss the ideas we did not discuss during the walk.

I also drafted a quick mock-up to show how the ideas we discussed for the area immediately outside the GK SIR Station could look in practice. I chose to put add a mock up for this location specifically since it’s the most complicated. Either way, it is meant to give a rough idea of our collective vision for that space. Please let me know if you think it accurately reflects the ideas we were discussing.

P.S.- Even if you weren't able to join us for the walking tour, you should feel free to contribute your ideas!

Rose Uscianowski (she/her/they/theirs)

Staten Island and South Brooklyn Organizer

Transportation Alternatives

C: (347) 213-1340

@TransAlt | TransAlt.org

Our mission is to reclaim New York City’s streets from the automobile and advocate for better walking, biking, and public transit for all New Yorkers. Donate or become a member today!

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/TAStatenIsland/CA%2BqvzuKv_Om80u75EUhyts%2BtsQOFDgseK%2BBuCN%3DzOtRwgpVTxA%40mail.gmail.com.

[C MathLady]

These sound like good ideas. Since I missed the walk, I'm going to try to go out there .

I wonder if anyone took some photos.

www.multipure.com/coppa

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/TAStatenIsland/CABXm1zTKONzbC%3DA_ko7u6d6zo-An%2B8Q_z9w1D-oa%3DQ0Y-Qeofw%40mail.gmail.com.

[ROY FISCHMAN]

Thanks for the write up Rose

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/TAStatenIsland/CA%2BqvzuKeZp_j_4bYmG_QF73Q6q3UWAf82u02a68%2Bjd9-m-K%3DiA%40mail.gmail.com.

[Rose Uscianowski]

As a reminder, please remember to: 

• Let me know if you have any additions you'd like me to add to the write-up. Once finalized, we will share them with the DCP.

• Send me any notes you took during or after the walk, if you have not done so already. (Psst- Cheers to Karen for sending her notes. They were super helpful!)
• Let me know when you are available for a follow-up Zoom call to discuss the ideas we did not discuss during the walk.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/TAStatenIsland/334692891.3308407.1764872103610%40mail.yahoo.com.

[ROY FISCHMAN]

I'm fine with the write up, thanks 

Sent from AOL on Android

On Thu, Dec 4, 2025 at 16:07, 'Rose Uscianowski' via Transportation Alternatives Staten Island Activist Committee

<TAState...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/TAStatenIsland/CABXm1zTkMrNF-MpTvFXWB3Rr_pE_2UV3zxTRGtgGNctq7m3uyw%40mail.gmail.com.

[Karen E. Lund]

I can't very well complain, can I? 

You left out some of what I sent, which I understand. It looks good. 

Karen

Karen E. Lund

You can now find me in the Fediverse

https://mastodon.social/@Karen5Lund

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/TAStatenIsland/CABXm1zTkMrNF-MpTvFXWB3Rr_pE_2UV3zxTRGtgGNctq7m3uyw%40mail.gmail.com.

[ROY FISCHMAN]

Will you or DCP contact the BID in this area? The local businesses will be effected by these changes and I'd like to see what their opinion will be.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/TAStatenIsland/CANqhJvnTfDfE7tHVf42n7K-HwhNJG-3mXW_ZLQ3bYia4eSBGSQ%40mail.gmail.com.

[Linda Cohen]

Hi Rose and all, 

Just catching up here on the GK transportation study. I'm not done looking at the docs but wanted to reply on what I have read thus far.  

I like many of the ideas.    

However, I don't want Brown or Broward Ct to close. I don't think they will be utilized as public spaces and will just cause bitterness with my car-centric community in Great Kills.  

Likewise I dont want to lose parking spots. Eliminating parking and directing folks from the back of the arcade to a paying muni-lot will also be unfair, and cause  public outcry. Perhaps the muni-parking can be made free parking with advocacy from DCP. Likewise, I don't believe that a parking pod will be utilized at this time.   We are a car-centric community mainly because our public transportation sucks (it takes 2 1/2 hours to get to Newark Airport by public transportation, 2 hours to get to midtown Manhattan,  about 1.5  hours to Bay Ridge).I would like to see  DCP do outreach to other agencies in order to provide us with better faster transit. Now is the best time and this should be part of the plan.  

 

Here are questions I would love to have answered by DCP:

1. What are the plans for Farrel lumber lot, next to post office, an empty eyesore for many  years. 

2. Are there any plans to cover the ugly battery storage walls on Gifford's Lane (Btw, did you see the horror allowed with the walls of the battery storage site at Nelson right off of Hylan next to residences ?)

3. How can DCP ensure us that old pretty houses will not be torn down surrounding Jack's pond (included in the study area) and replaced with higher density housing? 

4. Are there any collaborations btwn DCP  and DOT to bring bike connections from this area to Great Kills Park ?

5. Is there any collaboration with EDC to bring a South Shore ferry  to Bklyn or Manhattan ?  While it might be difficult, now is the time to advocate for this. 

6. During the hearings for City of Yes, some of us were told that those of us in the Special South Richmond Development District would be exempt from City of Yes. How did this change ? What is the specific zoning code that allows this ? 

I am for affordable housing and more dense housing close to transit, but City of Yes will also affect quiet residential blocks, replacing single family homes with dense housing. While some of us may not understand this, my neighbors and I enjoy the beauty, quiet, the wildlife and bucolic areas.

City of Yes is already impacting me as there is a proposal to destroy a large home at 104 Oakdale St to make way for 5 or 6 attached homes. This is a few houses away from me. This is just the beginning.

 

I agree with the BPs latest email  regarding City of yes :

"One proposal will subdivide a single-family home into five two-family homes at the corner of Oakdale Street and Ramblewood Avenue. The second proposal calls for the conversion of two single-family homes into four homes with the potential to house multiple families on Gibson Avenue between Miles Avenue and Sampson Avenue."

Borough President Fossella called upon the city planners to go back to the drawing board and look at the neighborhoods in a “contextual way, block by block, home by home and say we’re going to preserve the character and integrity of these neighborhoods.”

“I’m not a big fan of the expression we told you so, but we’re seeing today the results of we told you so with respect to the City of Yes," he said at a press conference on Wednesday. "We fought as much as we could on behalf of the people of Staten Island, on behalf of the people in this community, to prevent what’s about to happen here and elsewhere across the South Shore. We said then and we are finding out now what’s going to happen is that one home could be knocked down and now the plan is to replace this one home with five, two-family houses. So one family leaves and 10 families come in."

Best,

Linda

[Robert DeBiase]

Hi Rose,

I have one correction to make.

The undefined intersection that is mentioned in the write-up as Amboy Rd and Giffords La is actually Amboy Rd and Nelson Ave.

In addition to better defining the intersection it was mentioned that this section of Nelson Ave is excessively wide and should be narrowed.  Doing such would improve the Amboy/Nelson intersection as well.

Additions:

There is a potential opportunity of creating a pathway  from a new park & ride at the foot of Lindenwood Rd to the northbound platform of the train station. During the walk I think I mentioned the possibility of getting an easement from the back of some local mechant property.  But a much better idea is to find out if the spur track next to the main tracks is still being used. If not, would it be available for a short rails to trails conversion? That little connection could save critical seconds for the harried commuter trying to catch a train.

Bob

---

From: 'Rose Uscianowski' via Transportation Alternatives Staten Island Activist Committee <TAState...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 4, 2025 4:07 PM
To: TAState...@googlegroups.com <TAState...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [TASI] Re: Great Kills Transportation Study Walking Tour

 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/TAStatenIsland/CABXm1zTkMrNF-MpTvFXWB3Rr_pE_2UV3zxTRGtgGNctq7m3uyw%40mail.gmail.com.

[Karen E. Lund]

Good suggestions, Bob! 

Rails to trails? That's getting creative. 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/TAStatenIsland/IA0PPF04DCE520E4BECC15C05562FE312BF93A4A%40IA0PPF04DCE520E.namprd12.prod.outlook.com.

[ROY FISCHMAN]

Are we going to have a zoom about discussing our submissoins to the DCP?

--
--
Please Note: Transportation Alternatives is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan organization. This email and all content heretofore is strictly informational and educational and in no way should be considered an endorsement of any political candidate or political party. Any interpretation to the contrary is in opposite of the intent of the sender.
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Transportation Alternatives Staten Island Activist Committee" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to TAStatenIslan...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/TAStatenIsland/1454680251.164840.1764995922484%40mail.yahoo.com.