The train station restrooms have been the concern of many citizens of New Rochelle and because of Talk of the Sound and WVOX we have been able to start a dialogue. Perhaps our station is the only place where people from the north, south, east and west end come together and have a chance to meet. Servicing Metro North and Amtrak, the station has become a gateway to New Rochelle. What would we like visitors to have as their first impression when entering our city? We expect the station to be safe, clean and well maintained. A useable restroom is a necessity not a luxury. Standard Parking is still cleaning the restrooms and Blue Bird Taxi, the food vendor and the shoeshine kiosk are the only ones allowed to use them.
What has happened with the closing of the restrooms is only a small part of the mismanagement that is taking place in New Rochelle. I question the unpredictable and ineffective ideas brought forward by the city manager in the name of fiscal responsibility. It might be good politics, but it is bad public policy to neglect the upkeep of this building. Is it the mayor, council and city manager’s intention that it fall into the same disrepair as the Armory, the church on North Ave. near city hall, Ward Acres barn and Wild Cliff? We can certainly keep the old while building the new.
Why are we not participating in the great American station project? On their website, Amtrak states that a well-planned train station is one of the best investments a community can make to expand greater tourism and business opportunities. Why doesn’t the mayor take this opportunity to bring our city together by listening to the creative and productive ideas to improving our station?
I ask all interested to attend the City Council Meeting-Committee of the Whole, Public Hearing, Tuesday, Feb.8, 7:30pm followed by Citizens to be Heard.
Finally, I would like to leave you with this quote:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
– Margaret Mead
Visit Great American Stationsm, See for Yourself
Visit the Great American Stations’ project site by clicking here
As they say, it’s an investment in our future
I don’t know….
I’ve been commuting through the New Rochelle station for 15 years. In that time, I have used the bathroom twice. Not having the bathrooms open to the public won’t impact me, worse case, MatroNorth has facilities on-board. (Which I rarely have used as well)
I can tell you “undesirables” tend to hang out in the hallways leading to the bathrooms. They don’t appear to be commuters, they seem to be hanging out. They are there every day.
A redesign of the bathrooms
A redesign of the bathrooms in the future would prevent this sought of thing. Eliminate the hallway and remove the bathroom doors like in thruway rest areas. Block the view into the bathrooms with walls but don’t give people the ability to lock themselves in there.