The scoping report will include a public meeting in spring. It will also evaluate different decking options and their costs. It is expected to be complete by the end the summer.
Proponents claim that burying Kensington would allow multiple streets and avenues to be reconnected. Health of those living near the highway would improve due to lower air pollution. A beautiful parkway would also serve as an impetus for commercial and residential development.
“We’re ecstatic. Richard A. Cummings (Vice Chairman of the Restore Our Community Coalition) said, “I’m pinching myself.” “It took us some time to get there, but we are finally here.”
Crystal Peoples-Stokes (Assembly Majority Leader), who introduced the governor, was also thrilled to see the Kensington project move to front of the table.
Peoples-Stokes stated that Kathy Hochul, our governor, has made the decision to make this a conversation rather than a move to action.
She also wondered aloud about how East Side neighborhoods could possibly have been torn apart so long ago to make room for the highway.
“Why should we have to go backwards in order to fix things that were broken down?” Peoples-Stokes said. “Why do people make decisions which, although not inadvertently, ultimately destroy people’s lives?” Why?”
