The city's economic development corporation is taking a look at the possibility of adding an additional ferry landing on the Rockaway peninsula. NY1's Clodagh McGowan filed the following report.
Robert Kaskel can't wait to watch ferry service from the dock behind his restaurant Thai Rock.
"Anything that improves transportation and connection out in the Rockaways is going to be helpful out here," Kaskel said.
Last week, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Hornblower Incorporated will operate citywide ferry service beginning next June. Ferries will bring residents to and from Beach 108th Street in Rockaway Park.
Now, the city's economic development corporation plans to study the feasibility, interest and potential ridership for an additional dock location on the peninsula.
"I think there's some logistics that the city's going to have to deal with, and I'm sure they're gonna work on that," Kaskel said.
According to the EDC, the new dock could be located somewhere between Beach 108th Street and Beach 84th Street. It can't go further east than Beach 84th Street because the ferry boat can't fit under the A-Train Bridge.
Business owners at the Rockaway Beach Surf Club on Beach 87th Street say they'd welcome a second dock.
"If it were close to our business that would be amazing for us, obviously, but I think the most important thing is just having ferry service for Rockaway in general," said Bradach Walsh, the co-owner of the Rockaway Beach Surf Club.
Transportation activists Danny and Linda Ruscillo agree but are still concerned about the limited route of the free shuttle bus service bringing riders to the ferry.
"More of my interest is, no matter where the dock goes, of course we want one further east, is the access to the ferry," said Danny Ruscillo, chair of Community Board 14’s transportation committee.
"All the way to Far Rock, all the way to Breezy and Broad Channel. Not to leave anyone out," said Linda Ruscillo, a Rockaway Park resident.
An EDC spokesman says the agency is working to ensure the free ferry shuttle maximizes connectivity for residents.
The $15 million for the study and construction of the ferry terminal was set aside by Congress in 2005. The EDC expects to finish the study by the end of the year.