Cuomo Calls Tappan Zee Bridge Park 'An Exciting Option'

 

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. – Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner said Wednesday he was “extremely excited” about remarks from Gov. Andrew Cuomo calling the proposed Tappan Zee Bridge park “an exciting option.”

 

“This announcement will generate lots of positive momentum,” Feiner wrote in an email while on a vacation.

 

Feiner and a group of officials and citizens have petitioned Cuomo to keep the old bridge when the new Tappan Zee Bridge is built. They want to turn the bridge into a park similar to the High Line in New York City or the Walkway Over the Hudson in Poughkeepsie, saying it would save money and bring in tourism.

 

Cuomo made his remarks during a cabinet meeting in Albany Wednesday, saying it would cost millions to tear down the existing Tappan Zee Bridge.

 

“Could you leave it up and what are the economics and the practicalities of that,” Cuomo asked. “It's an exciting option.”

 

New York State Thruway officials also outlined options for paying for the new bridge, including seeking a $2 billion loan and another federal grant, traditional bonding based on tolls and private investments such as pensions. Thruway Executive Tom Madison also said any tolls would be consistent with other Hudson River Crossings and would include deep local discounts.

 

Cuomo said officials would be exploring the park option as plans for the proposed bridge progress. Feiner said the next step will be a feasibility analysis to see if the option is even possible.

 

“We are on the way to turn the old TZ bridge into a world class destination point,”  Feiner wrote, later adding, “The governor is giving our cause lots of credibility.”

 

White Plains Common Council member Milagros Lecuona, who has been working with Feiner and the Tappan Bridge Park group to bring the idea to fruition, said in an email Cuomo's remarks showed “real leadership and an open mind to creativity.”

 

“This is now a step forward because he is actually saying that it is a great option to turn the bridge it into a park,” she said.

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