Archives of the Mayor's Press Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Tuesday, April 27, 1999

Release #151 -99

Contact: Sunny Mindel/Curt Ritter (212) 788-2958


MAYOR GIULIANI ANNOUNCES CITY FUNDING FOR THE BAY STREET MASTER PLAN

$250,000 Study Will Examine Ways To Improve Staten Island's "Gateway Thoroughfare"

Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today announced that the City will provide $250,000 in funding for The Bay Street Master Plan, a study to examine ways to revitalize and rehabilitate Bay Street, one of Staten Island's major commercial thoroughfares. The new Minor League Ballpark, the Staten Island Ferry Terminal and the proposed Waterfront and National Lighthouse Museum will face Bay Street. This study will serve as an important step in upgrading Staten Island's "Gateway Thoroughfare" for the 21st Century.

"The Bay Street Master Plan will provide the City with important information on how we can more effectively utilize Bay Street to better support the local community," said Mayor Giuliani. "It's the logical first step in providing the community with the direction it needs to reduce traffic congestion, improve business promotion and enhance aesthetics. The completed study will enable us to transform Bay Street into a 'model thoroughfare' with clean, attractive streets and community-friendly business activity. I want to thank Guy for his advocacy on behalf of Staten Island and look forward to the completion of the study."

Borough President Guy V. Molinari said, "Once again, Staten Island has the Mayor to thank for this good news. The Mayor has always been responsive to the needs of Staten Islanders. This Plan is a necessary part of our overall effort to revitalize the Borough and prepare Staten Island for the 21st Century. Bay Street has traditionally been known as Staten Island's 'Gateway Thoroughfare,' and often provides visitors with their first impression of our community. Unfortunately, years of neglect have resulted in traffic congestion and a commercial strip on the decline. This Plan will set us on the right path to revitalize Bay Street and I look forward its revitalization as we celebrate the completion of other North Shore projects."

The Bay Street Consultant Study, to be developed in cooperation with the Staten Island Economic Development Corporation (SlEDC) and the Borough President's Office, will: