You Told Us is a regular feature in which we highlight comments from users in the communities DNAinfo New York covers.
UPPER EAST SIDE — A 14-month construction project at East 86th Street will bring street closures, water service shut-offs and loss of parking spaces starting this month, adding to the existing neighborhood noise and clutter.
The city is working to replace the water main on both the north and south sides of the street and on the west side of Madison Avenue, between East 84th and 85th streets. It will also include a number of sidewalk improvements, from extensions to new tree pits and bike racks, according to city officials.
Despite the improvements, a number of readers took to Neighborhood Square to express their frustration with the idea of more construction on the Upper East Side.
► "Will street vendors, part of the colorful commerce, still have room, too? When did our streets become too wide to cross all of a sudden? Bumpouts are a waste of money and cause inefficient movement of vehicles and people. It's all a mess," one reader said.
► "UGH all of it!!! so sick of construction and over development EVERYWHERE on the UES! why do we need another citibike station?! they are on almost every street. And another high rise interfering with subway entry. We have to use the subway everyday, how much will that interfere with commutes with people using one stairway entrance? People and business being priced out of homes and jobs. Bring back the German restaurants and he good old days I say!" another wrote.
► "The construction in this neighborhood is unbearable, loud and filthy, and it never ends. The subway construction spreads in all different directions and never seems to stop. Bicycles do whatever they want. Streets are dug up seemingly at random. So many buildings sit empty and stores vacant because of planned skyscrapers and skyscraperish rent hikes. Second Avenue is full of rats. And this is before the MTS is in operation. It's as if someone realized this was one of the last remaining affordable residential areas in Manhattan and set out to destroy it, very effectively," one said.
► "I have no idea whose idea these 'brilliant' 'make-more-work-and stifle-commerce' sidewalk bumpouts were, but my experience is that buses never pull all the way into the area set aside for them, usually hanging half way out into the traffic lane. And when the bus leaves, it has to stop all the traffic in the remaining 2 lanes! Not only are the bumpout lanes not used, they take away an entire lane from moving traffic! How is that good for traffic on E 86th St or Lexington Aves. or the other avenues? Is the final intention to stop all vehicular traffic so everyone has to walk everywhere? No meters for one's car for the weekly shopping trip? No place to have a cab pull over? (Oh yeah, what about those highly favored bikes!) This is stupid, even discriminatory. With the bumpouts, no one over 40 can go to a store, buy a lot of stuff at Whole Foods or Best Buy or Staples, or Gristedes, etc., and then have a vehicle to get it home in. They will be even more isolated from every day shopping and independent life! E 86th St. is a commercial hub for the entire east side of Manhattan. It has to be accessible by cars and trucks as well as buses so shoppers who don't live within 2 blocks can get their merchandise home. Ideas? No. Deliveries are not an option, too expensive, and the bikes are illegal," another said.
But one resident said the changes would be a welcome addition to the neighborhood.
► "Has anyone actually looked at E.86 St lately?! It's a complete dump. While this won't likely help the overcrowding on the sidewalks, at least it brings something a little more attractive, such as trees, benches (would someone actually sit on a bench on 86 now?... I'm not so sure) and a badly needed new sidewalk. Anything that makes E. 86 a little more beautiful and less of a disgusting eyesore is positive," they said.
