Some wishes for the new year

Volume One, Issue 14, Dec. 29, 2006 - Jan. 4, 2007

With this year’s end fast approaching, our thoughts naturally turn to wishes for the new year.

First and foremost, the ongoing and unmitigated tragedy that the Iraq war has become for the Iraqi people, the Middle East, America and the rest of the world must be concluded. This misbegotten adventure of the Bush administration will have no easy ending and no moral high ground or victory. Our soldiers are now mired in the middle of a brutal civil war between rapidly shifting political and religious factions, and the worst is probably yet to come. We hope to see political processes that lead to the end of killing of civilians and soldiers — a tall order — and substantial reduction of U.S. troops in Iraq.

A world away, we are at peace, which permits us the luxury of turning to such mundane problems as congestion and traffic in the big city, parks and housing.

We wish 2007 sees the beginning of studies to reveal the benefits of making drivers pay to clog our streets with traffic — so evident during this holiday season. We’ve long backed East River bridge tolls, politically, a difficult policy change. Lately, there’s been more talk of congestion pricing, that is charging drivers the costs of using some of the city’s scarcest resources — street space in Midtown and Lower Manhattan during the day. Congestion pricing could include bridge tolls. A recent Manhattan Institute study suggests ways to sell congestion pricing politically, and a study by the Partnership for New York City — an organization of top business leaders — estimated traffic delays cost businesses $13 billion a year. These pro-business groups are welcome additions to the fight for cleaner air and less crowded streets, and hopefully their pressure will help move City Hall, which — like the gridlock itself — is stalled on this issue.

Two groundbreaking park projects — the High Line and Hudson River Park — are progressing. But the mayor and M.T.A. must protect the High Line’s north end by transferring its ownership to the city.

The Hudson Rail Yards is a key development site. Whatever is built there will significantly impact the neighborhood. Thankfully, the stadium idea failed; any new proposals should include substantial affordable housing.

On the seminary’s proposed Ninth Ave. tower, we’d like to see greater consensus between the seminary and community. A middle ground exists between development “progress” and preservation of the Chelsea Historic District’s scale and aesthetics.

Hopefully, the State Liquor Authority continues its new concern about oversaturation and safety, achieving a healthier balance of nightlife and quality of life.

Last, we welcome Eliot Spitzer as governor. Gay marriage will be part of Spitzer’s program bill, where he lays out his agenda; we hope local Assemblymembers Richard Gottfried and Deborah Glick can persuade Speaker Sheldon Silver to let this issue receive — at long last — an Assembly hearing. We wish Spitzer the best as he tries to reform Albany, making Chelsea and all New York a better place.