Senator Charles E. Schumer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 2, 2012

SCHUMER ANNOUNCES OVER $875,000 FOR GLEN COVE FERRY PROJECT; GRANT WILL FUND CONSTRUCTION OF TERMINAL BUILDING, COMPLETING FIRST PHASE OF GLEN COVE WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION PROJECT

Lack of Commuter Ferry Between Nassau County and NYC Hurts Local Commuters – Direct Ferry Route Would Provide Easy Commute to NYC & Is Key Component of Waterfront Plan; Schumer Has Already Secured Over $12 Million in Federal Funds for Glen Cove Ferry Terminal

In February, Schumer Urged Federal Highway Administration to Approve Application for Funding to Finish Crucial First Phase of Project; Today, Schumer Announces Glen Cove Has Received $875,000 to Fund Construction of Terminal Building

Schumer: This Is A Huge Win for Glen Cove

United States Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has agreed to allocate $875,951 funds to City of Glen Cove in order to allow the completion of the first ever Commuter Ferry Terminal and Boat Basin at Glen Cove Creek. In February, Schumer urged the FHWA to fund City of Glen Cove’s application for funding through the FHWA Ferry Boat Discretionary Funding program in order to complete its construction of the terminal and to begin commuter service routes to New York City. As the only planned commuter ferry connecting Nassau County to New York City, Schumer noted that this funding is a crucial element of the planned Glen Isle redevelopment project that will transform the long-blighted waterfront and ensure that commuters, business travelers, and tourists can once again easily travel between New York City and Long Island on a ferry. Schumer today announced that he had successfully secured $875,951 to fund the construction of the 2,700 sq foot terminal building – the final step in the crucial first phase of the construction process. Schumer also committed to pushing for funding for the second phase of the project, which would enable Glen Cove to provide enhancements to the terminal building.

“This is a huge victory for the dream of creating a ferry link between Glen Cove and New York City,” said Schumer. “By funding construction of the ferry terminal, we’ve now secured every necessary dollar to complete the crucial first phase of the Glen Cove Waterfront Revitalization Project that will not only provide convenient transportation to New York City, but also transform the waterfront, spur the local economy and create jobs.”

In its 2005 Long Island Sound Waterborne Transportation Plan (LISWTP), the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC) identified the Glen Cove Ferry as a viable regional launch for destination points to the west. Since that time, Schumer has helped secure over $12 million in federal funds for the project. NYMTC noted that, ferry services operating in Long Island Sound currently carry more than 4,000,000 passenger trips and nearly 2,000,000 vehicle trips per year, making the region one of the top ten ferry markets in the country.

The Glen Cove Ferry Terminal and Boat project involves the design and construction of a ferry terminal building, marine and waterside improvements, public access, pedestrian spaces, and a parking facility. Glen Cove requested a final allocation of funding which will allow it to functionally complete the terminal, and begin service to routes in New York City.

In February, Schumer urged the FHWA to allocate Ferry Boat Discretionary Funding for program year 2012 to support the completion of the City of Glen Cove Ferry Terminal. In a letter to FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez, Schumer noted that the Ferry Project was vital to the City’s waterfront revitalization strategy, would restore a previously contaminated brownfield to an environmentally and economically healthy use, and would spur the redevelopment of neighboring brownfields. Schumer also noted that in addition to new ferry routes for commuters, the project will create a vital link for tourism between Long Island and New York City, as well as recreational facilities including Citifield and Yankee Stadium, with the possibility of additional Long Island Sound destinations.

Today, Schumer announced that he had successfully secured a grant of $875,951 to fund the completion of the ferry terminal – completing the crucial first phase in the process. This funding will allow Glen Cove to build a 2700 sq ft terminal building, including the shell of the building, a waiting area for customers rest rooms, a small office, and an area for kiosks. Phase two of the project, which is estimated to cost $1.8 million, will enable Glen Cove to build out the terminal, including building its second floor, a restaurant, a harbor master, and additional offices. Schumer is committed to helping Glen Cove complete its crucial second phase of the project.

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