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New York City, January 28, 2008– New York City Economic Development Corporation and the Department of City Planning today announced selection of Urbitran Associates as the Lead Consultant to advance the West Shore Study.   An Advisory Committee of local stakeholders, City and State agencies has also been convened to inform the Study and counsel the study framework. Urbitran will provide professional land use and transportation planning, market analysis and feasibility, coordinate public discussion and outreach efforts and work with the private-public Advisory Committee to develop a community based planning framework that will guide the West Shore’s future transportation and land use needs.  The Consultant team includes Phillips Preiss Shapiro Associates, Economic Research Associates, Halcrow, SMWM, Amy S. Greene Environmental Consultants, Zetlin Strategic Communications and Historical Perspectives.

“Staten Island’s West Shore represents an area of incredible opportunities and challenges in the City,” said Robert C. Lieber, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development.  “Urbitran Associates, along with the Advisory Committee, will ensure that any future growth is both responsible and sustainable and the plans meet the needs of a growing and thriving Staten Island, while protecting the natural environment.”

"Today we are taking an important step toward a planning framework for the West Shore of Staten Island that will guide future land use and transportation decision-making,” said Amanda Burden, Commissioner of the Department of City Planning. “Staten Islanders have called for comprehensive planning, and the City has heeded their call with this ambitious initiative. This large and complex area requires a consensus-based, sustainable blueprint for balancing the protection of open space and wetlands with the need for new job opportunities as well as identifying where transportation improvements will be necessary.  We look forward to working with local and state agencies, business owners, civic groups and elected officials who have committed to make this important planning initiative a success."

Running the length of the Arthur Kill, the study area encompasses nearly 5,700 acres. Nearly half includes the future Fresh Kills Park which is the subject of a separate planning effort.  Nearly 10 square miles in size and covering approximately 12 miles of shoreline along the Arthur Kill, the Study Area consists of maritime, industrial, and commercial uses with pockets of residential use, along with open space, brownfields and wetlands.  Today, more than half of the area is dormant, including vacant, dilapidated, or under-utilized properties. At the recommendation of the Mayor's Staten Island Growth Management and Transportation Task Forces, the Committee was convened to advise the planning effort. This effort will create a framework and long-term vision and planning implementation strategy to assure thoughtful and sustainable development for this large area of private and publicly-owned property. The project will also examine transportation amenities seeking to improve connectivity and safety while reducing travel times.

“I am pleased that the Study is moving forward, said Staten Island Borough President James P. Molinaro.  “It is long overdue, and I look forward to the development of our West Shore.”

“As we all know, the critical challenges faced on Staten Island today are a result of decades of the lack of planning,” said Council Member James S. Oddo. “Today various entities are envisioning Staten Island’s future and the key is to secure proper planning.  It is important that we ensure that the recommendations or visions that come out of this process are consistent and compatible with the existing infrastructure and that no proposed development exacerbate the current challenges or is predicated on future infrastructure improvements that may or may not take place.”  

“Finally, we are planning before we are issuing building permits or zoning changes and that’s a good thing,” said Council Member Michael E. McMahon. “I thank EDC and DCP and the Mayor and look forward to working with them on this project and to continue this level of planning on the North Shore Waterfront as well.”

 "The west shore of Staten Island represents the final frontier in the development of this borough,” said Council Member Vincent Ignizio. “We need to ensure that any proposed development is done responsibly, with the utmost attention paid to preserving open space and allowing for transportation improvements.  We can’t afford to let things get built haphazardly; thereby letting overdevelopment, and its detrimental by-products, overcome this area."

 “On behalf of our talented team of consultant partners, we are committed to providing our very best efforts to NYCEDC and the NYC Department of City Planning on this complex and challenging assignment,” said Kevin Williams, Vice President of Urban Planning and Landscape Architecture for Urbitran.  “The opportunity to bring together the many agencies that provide services to Staten Island’s West Shore with local residents, business owners and key institutions in an effort to revitalize this remarkable region is what engages us all as professionals.  The West Shore of Staten Island is confronted with what may often appear to be insurmountable challenges. It is at once a region composed of disjointed and incompatible land uses served by poorly integrated infrastructure and challenged by significant environmental concerns.  Yet it also offers one of the most remarkable ecological and scenic context in the region, and is home to some of the City’s most unique and historic communities.  The West Shore of Staten Island is a region of remarkable potential, and will require the most innovative long-range planning approaches and our shared vision and commitment to realize this potential.  This is our challenge and we are excited about it.”

This phase of the West Shore Study is expected to last approximately twelve to fifteen months.  In parallel with the West Shore Study, the city has allocated funding to allow the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation (SIEDC) to further study the feasibility of light rail passenger service along the West Shore.

About NYCEDC

New York City Economic Development Corporation is the City’s primary vehicle for promoting economic growth in each of the five boroughs. NYCEDC’s mission is to stimulate growth through expansion and redevelopment programs that encourage investment, generate prosperity and strengthen the City’s competitive position. NYCEDC serves as an advocate to the business community by building relationships with companies that allow them to take advantage of New York City’s many opportunities.  

About DCP

 The Department of City Planning is responsible for the City's physical and socioeconomic planning, including land use and environmental review; preparation of plans and policies; and provision of technical assistance and planning information to government agencies, public officials, and community boards.