Several articles today across the mainstream media are pinpointing negative aspects about the latest major transportation projects and sidestepping all the positives these improvements will bring to communities.
In The New York Times, Emma Fitzsimmons explores the fear of rents soaring with the opening of three new subway stops on the Upper East Side. While this will no doubt bring neighborhood changes, the longview for businesses and residents is economically bright.
Nicole Gelinas, in The Daily Beast, does indeed take the long view, but back in the other direction. She tells a story that is worth telling about how the new subway stops have been in planning since 1929. At the same time, focusing on this could propagate the view that transit planning in this country is too difficult, time consuming, and not worth it.
Finally, Michael Cabanatuan takes a measured view the best he can in The San Francisco Chronicle of how businesses aren’t finding new red bus lanes helpful along Mission Street. He tells both sides of the story, including how these lanes should actually help bring more customers to these businesses. But further explanation as to why business owners can’t fully get themselves bought in to the infrastructure would be illuminating to add.