It's probably where the sewer-gator lives.

[flaxxxen]

Now I can't imagine that many people who either aren't native to NYC or haven't ever visited would know anything about this, or care, but something irked me tonight coming home on the N (aside from the fact that the train was making all the local stops when it is an express train, but whatev it was 2 AM so FML).
Below the World Trade Center site, the N/R/W train (yellow line on the map) runs through a station called Cordlandt Street.

So, what's your point, Flax?

To which I reply: it is August of 2009, and the September 11th attacks happened eight (yes, count them, EIGHT) years ago. Why is this station still not repaired?

Why are the tracks functioning, so that my train can pass through and get a first-rate glimpse of all that hasn't been fixed in damn-near a decade, while the remainder of the structure is still in shambles? This is all common knowledge to subway riders, and goes without mention of the giant gaping hole in Manhattan known as Ground Zero, where the word "progress" has no meaning.

All the same, we can't blame the economy, as the city can blow a shiny $4 million on renaming the Triboro Bridge after RFK, the MTA can go on strike for three days with a $1 million-per-day fine and STILL raise fares, but we can't plaster some walls and stabilize some floors in eight years? Even with the level of corruption and private contractors on rotation at every construction site across town? What is that?

Perhaps more importantly, at least to the psyche of a lifelong New Yorker, must we continue to live in that era, and be forever reminded of how, no, the city is not and will never be the same?

Comments

[flaxenescapee.livejournal.com]

You're not cynical at all, it's true. Since 2001 I've encountered probably hundreds of people who've visited specifically to see Ground Zero. I mean, I'm from here and it took me about 5 or 6 years to even want to head down to that area again. These people were going purely out of morbid curiosity, and I really can't blame them. But there comes a time when enough's enough. I personally have reached my limit and I think every poor di'kut who relies on mass transit feels the same.

You know, I never even knew about the camera ban. I won't even comment on that, and "If You See Something, Say Something" and how frighteningly close this comes to fascism.

And can you believe that we just had a fare hike? The service is getting accountably worse by the week and we're paying more than ever? To quote someone we all know and love, this is outrageous!