Walmart's is closing its trashy store on Main Street in White Plains. Good. It was tacky from day one. The video on the LoHud website shows people interviewed outside Walmart being asked about the closing. Only one mentioned Target just across the street. White Plains did not need both and this may help keep Target from also leaving.
Downtown White Plains could use an electronics store. Pretty much anything else being suggested is already here. Circuit City had the space now occupied by the Nordstrom Rack on the ground floor of the City Center. But Circuit City ceased operation in 2009. Maybe some Walmart customers will discover Nordstrom Rack for inexpensive stuff.
The Best Buy electronics store on Central Avenue in Hartsdale is not accessible to downtown residents on foot. Foot traffic was part of the appeal of Walmart's for some.
Another option would be a Trader Joe's food store. It too has a store on Central Avenue in Hartsdale. The Shop-Rite supermarket across the street from Walmart on the second level of the City Center operates as if it's in a poor inner city neighborhood with at least half its workers standing around, at least half its checkouts not in use and food that's not the newest available. Compare dates to the other supermarket in White Plains (Stop & Shop), the one serving customers driving there from their houses, not walking from their apartments. White Plains is a tale of two cities.
Friday, July 27, 2018
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Lake Street crossing light ignored too often by drivers. White Plains needs a Pedestrian Commissioner more than ever.
It should have been like the pedestrian controlled TRAFFIC light on the east side of North Broadway where it aligns with Barker Avenue.
But, instead, on Lake Street the City merely installed a pedestrian controlled FLASHING light that is designed to alert drivers that pedestrians may be walking across Lake Street to/from Stewart Place.
On a recent sunny afternoon I tried to cross Lake Street. I pressed the button to start the flashing light. The light flashed but many drivers ignored it and did not stop. After finally reaching the park, I later noticed it happening again to another pedestrian.
Here's why the City of White Plains implemented this halfhearted measure:
White Plains needs a Pedestrian Commissioner, part II Tuesday, May 17, 2011
I sent my original post to the members of the White Plains Common Council, including the mayor. Obviously, the problem has not been addressed. Why not? I will send this message to the CC members again but I am not optimistic that anything will be done...
To them downtown White Plains is there for their convenience and amusement. They would never consider living downtown but enjoy having the stores and restaurants so close and accessible. Just hop in the car and you're there in a few minutes. That's why we have so many high speed mega lane roads and multi-level parking garages, the architectural feature that defines White Plains.
Downtown has been blighted to support cars to support retail sales tax. Maybe breaking that boom-bust tax dependency would also begin to change public policy that has become so distorted by its accommodation of cars.
White Plains needs a Pedestrian Commissioner more than ever.
_____________________________
But, instead, on Lake Street the City merely installed a pedestrian controlled FLASHING light that is designed to alert drivers that pedestrians may be walking across Lake Street to/from Stewart Place.
On a recent sunny afternoon I tried to cross Lake Street. I pressed the button to start the flashing light. The light flashed but many drivers ignored it and did not stop. After finally reaching the park, I later noticed it happening again to another pedestrian.
Here's why the City of White Plains implemented this halfhearted measure:
White Plains needs a Pedestrian Commissioner, part II Tuesday, May 17, 2011
I sent my original post to the members of the White Plains Common Council, including the mayor. Obviously, the problem has not been addressed. Why not? I will send this message to the CC members again but I am not optimistic that anything will be done...
To them downtown White Plains is there for their convenience and amusement. They would never consider living downtown but enjoy having the stores and restaurants so close and accessible. Just hop in the car and you're there in a few minutes. That's why we have so many high speed mega lane roads and multi-level parking garages, the architectural feature that defines White Plains.
Downtown has been blighted to support cars to support retail sales tax. Maybe breaking that boom-bust tax dependency would also begin to change public policy that has become so distorted by its accommodation of cars.
White Plains needs a Pedestrian Commissioner more than ever.
_____________________________
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
Money, Safety, Vandalism: Ofo, one of the two bike sharing companies in White Plains, quits.
from: Ken
to: support@limebike.com
cc: Westchester Police <tips@wccops.com>,
tips@patch.com
date: Jul 5, 2018, 12:34 PM
subject: Fwd: Bikes abused.
Photo taken near the foot bridge south of the North White Plains train station on the Bronx River Pathway. Visible from the parkway.
This is the second I've seen that had apparently been submerged in the Bronx River. As I recall the other was a yellow OFO near Main Street in White Plains, NY.
I just spoke to a woman who's also seen this.
from: Hedi Palinkas (Support) <support@limebike.com> via zendesk.com
reply-to: Support <support@limebike.com>
to: Ken
date: Jul 6, 2018, 6:34 AM
subject: [limebike] Re: Fwd: Bikes abused.
Hi Ken,
Thank you for reaching out to LimeBike customer support. I forwarded your information and question to our local White Plains operations team for review. A team member will reach out to you if they require additional information or have any additional questions.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to customer support, we're happy to help.
Thank you,
Bike share company pedals out of White Plains six weeks after coasting in
Richard Liebson, Rockland/Westchester Journal News Published 2:54 p.m. ET July 23, 2018 | Updated 8:54 a.m. ET July 24, 2018
WHITE PLAINS — Ofo, one of the two bike sharing companies involved in a pilot program in White Plains, is putting the brakes on its participation.
Less than two months after the city launched its bike sharing program by introducing LimeBike and ofo at a June 4 press conference, ofo confirmed today that it's wheeling out of the city...
LimeBike will continue to operate in White Plains, with 150 bicycles available for rent through a cellphone app...
The China-based company — the world's biggest bike share business — is reportedly preparing to make deep cuts to its U.S. workforce and concentrate on a handful of big city markets. The company announced earlier this year that it will cease operating in Australia, Germany and Israel...
White Plains' one-year pilot program comes at no cost to the city or taxpayers. Both LimeBike and ofo paid a small permit fee to place 150 dockless bikes on city streets...
"LimeBike is doing very well in White Plains and they're eager to bring more bikes into the city," (Mayor Tom) Roach said. "They can bring up to another 150 bikes here, and we're hoping that's what they intend to do."
__________________________
Turn only lanes made even more dangerous by bike rentals. Friday, June 8, 2018
Now there is suddenly a flood of rental bicycles, which surprisingly have become attractive to teenagers. Fortunately, riders have mostly had the good sense so far to not use the absurd bike lanes. They are usually riding on sidewalks...
A bike would be trapped between TWO lanes of turning cars. How the heck can that be safe? And yet it's been that way for years. The only thing that's prevented an accident is that hardly anyone uses those ridiculously dangerous bike lanes. But now the rental bikes makes this a real possibility.
Do the right thing. Change the most dangerous situations immediately. Then FINALLY implement some common sense changes that radically improve quality of life in downtown White Plains.
The Common Council has finally got to stop serving the interests of its neighbors in the house neighborhoods who only want to conveniently drive and park in downtown for their amusement. Be responsible.
__________________________
to: support@limebike.com
cc: Westchester Police <tips@wccops.com>,
tips@patch.com
date: Jul 5, 2018, 12:34 PM
subject: Fwd: Bikes abused.
Photo taken near the foot bridge south of the North White Plains train station on the Bronx River Pathway. Visible from the parkway.
This is the second I've seen that had apparently been submerged in the Bronx River. As I recall the other was a yellow OFO near Main Street in White Plains, NY.
I just spoke to a woman who's also seen this.
from: Hedi Palinkas (Support) <support@limebike.com> via zendesk.com
reply-to: Support <support@limebike.com>
to: Ken
date: Jul 6, 2018, 6:34 AM
subject: [limebike] Re: Fwd: Bikes abused.
Hi Ken,
Thank you for reaching out to LimeBike customer support. I forwarded your information and question to our local White Plains operations team for review. A team member will reach out to you if they require additional information or have any additional questions.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to customer support, we're happy to help.
Thank you,
-Hedi
Lime
Lime
__________________
Multiple attempts to also contact Ofo failed.
Multiple attempts to also contact Ofo failed.
Bike share company pedals out of White Plains six weeks after coasting in
Richard Liebson, Rockland/Westchester Journal News Published 2:54 p.m. ET July 23, 2018 | Updated 8:54 a.m. ET July 24, 2018
WHITE PLAINS — Ofo, one of the two bike sharing companies involved in a pilot program in White Plains, is putting the brakes on its participation.
Less than two months after the city launched its bike sharing program by introducing LimeBike and ofo at a June 4 press conference, ofo confirmed today that it's wheeling out of the city...
LimeBike will continue to operate in White Plains, with 150 bicycles available for rent through a cellphone app...
The China-based company — the world's biggest bike share business — is reportedly preparing to make deep cuts to its U.S. workforce and concentrate on a handful of big city markets. The company announced earlier this year that it will cease operating in Australia, Germany and Israel...
White Plains' one-year pilot program comes at no cost to the city or taxpayers. Both LimeBike and ofo paid a small permit fee to place 150 dockless bikes on city streets...
"LimeBike is doing very well in White Plains and they're eager to bring more bikes into the city," (Mayor Tom) Roach said. "They can bring up to another 150 bikes here, and we're hoping that's what they intend to do."
__________________________
Turn only lanes made even more dangerous by bike rentals. Friday, June 8, 2018
Now there is suddenly a flood of rental bicycles, which surprisingly have become attractive to teenagers. Fortunately, riders have mostly had the good sense so far to not use the absurd bike lanes. They are usually riding on sidewalks...
A bike would be trapped between TWO lanes of turning cars. How the heck can that be safe? And yet it's been that way for years. The only thing that's prevented an accident is that hardly anyone uses those ridiculously dangerous bike lanes. But now the rental bikes makes this a real possibility.
Do the right thing. Change the most dangerous situations immediately. Then FINALLY implement some common sense changes that radically improve quality of life in downtown White Plains.
The Common Council has finally got to stop serving the interests of its neighbors in the house neighborhoods who only want to conveniently drive and park in downtown for their amusement. Be responsible.
__________________________
Monday, July 9, 2018
City waited THREE YEARS to implement the authorized safety cameras at only HALF the intersections authorized.
White Plains is pedestrian hostile in the extreme.
http://www.cityofwhiteplains.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=672
Posted on: July 2, 2018
White Plains Begins Warning Period for Red Light Safety Camera Program
During the first 30 days of activation, warning notices will be issued to the vehicle’s registered owner. There will be no fine associated with this warning notice. At the completion of the warning period, Notices of Liability (“NOL”) will be issued to violators. The NOL carries a fine of $50.00 but does not result in any points being added to your license.
The traffic safety cameras will monitor these intersections:
SB Mamaroneck Ave @ Bryant Ave
EB Main St @ Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
NB Bank St @ Hamilton Ave
WB Hamilton Ave @ Bank St
WB Westchester Ave @ South Kensico Ave
SB North Broadway @ Hamilton Ave ...
Cameras will operate 24-hours/day and capture images of every vehicle running a red light at the designated intersections. Warning signs alerting drivers to the intersection safety cameras have been installed prior to the warning period...
Additional Info...
_______________________
Ah, the additional info is the actual four page public notice from Mayor Thomas Roach, which contains disturbing facts:
http://www.cityofwhiteplains.com/documentcenter/view/2944
White Plains, NY – July 2, 2018
This program is administered by American Traffic Solutions Inc. (ATS), with each violation reviewed and approved by the White Plains Department of Public Safety prior to being issued.
The city received state authorization to establish a red light camera program in August 2015. The authorization was for a modest program with cameras permitted at “up to 12 intersections” in the city.
_______________________
2-3 years ago Mayor Roach repeatedly mocked the absurd city planning of 50 years ago that resulted in the mega one way streets in downtown. But rather than change that, the city has done nothing and instead has:
- waited THREE YEARS to implement the authorized safety cameras at intersections
- on only HALF the number of intersections authorized.
Eliminate those ridiculous turn only lanes that apparently make it legal for the next lane to also simultaneously turn into pedestrians in the crosswalk. At the bus terminal there are TWO turn only lanes, often filled with buses, which means that two more lanes may also turn onto Hamilton Avenue going west towards the train station. That's four lanes turning into pedestrians with some cars immediately going to the left lane on Hamilton to get onto the Bronx River Parkway going south or onto Battle Avenue.
Turn only lanes made even more dangerous by bike rentals. Friday, June 8, 2018
Common Council twice warned about dangerous bus traffic downtown. Maybe if they lived downtown ... Monday, September 25, 2017
Mayor Tom Roach: "bring an east-west bus rapid transit system to Westchester County" Wednesday, August 30, 2017
http://www.cityofwhiteplains.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=672
Posted on: July 2, 2018
White Plains Begins Warning Period for Red Light Safety Camera Program
During the first 30 days of activation, warning notices will be issued to the vehicle’s registered owner. There will be no fine associated with this warning notice. At the completion of the warning period, Notices of Liability (“NOL”) will be issued to violators. The NOL carries a fine of $50.00 but does not result in any points being added to your license.
The traffic safety cameras will monitor these intersections:
SB Mamaroneck Ave @ Bryant Ave
EB Main St @ Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
NB Bank St @ Hamilton Ave
WB Hamilton Ave @ Bank St
WB Westchester Ave @ South Kensico Ave
SB North Broadway @ Hamilton Ave ...
Cameras will operate 24-hours/day and capture images of every vehicle running a red light at the designated intersections. Warning signs alerting drivers to the intersection safety cameras have been installed prior to the warning period...
Additional Info...
_______________________
Ah, the additional info is the actual four page public notice from Mayor Thomas Roach, which contains disturbing facts:
http://www.cityofwhiteplains.com/documentcenter/view/2944
White Plains, NY – July 2, 2018
This program is administered by American Traffic Solutions Inc. (ATS), with each violation reviewed and approved by the White Plains Department of Public Safety prior to being issued.
The city received state authorization to establish a red light camera program in August 2015. The authorization was for a modest program with cameras permitted at “up to 12 intersections” in the city.
_______________________
2-3 years ago Mayor Roach repeatedly mocked the absurd city planning of 50 years ago that resulted in the mega one way streets in downtown. But rather than change that, the city has done nothing and instead has:
- waited THREE YEARS to implement the authorized safety cameras at intersections
- on only HALF the number of intersections authorized.
Eliminate those ridiculous turn only lanes that apparently make it legal for the next lane to also simultaneously turn into pedestrians in the crosswalk. At the bus terminal there are TWO turn only lanes, often filled with buses, which means that two more lanes may also turn onto Hamilton Avenue going west towards the train station. That's four lanes turning into pedestrians with some cars immediately going to the left lane on Hamilton to get onto the Bronx River Parkway going south or onto Battle Avenue.
Turn only lanes made even more dangerous by bike rentals. Friday, June 8, 2018
Common Council twice warned about dangerous bus traffic downtown. Maybe if they lived downtown ... Monday, September 25, 2017
Mayor Tom Roach: "bring an east-west bus rapid transit system to Westchester County" Wednesday, August 30, 2017
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