Hacker News Reader

The second ave subway was supposed to be a replacement for the elevated train they tore out. At this point, they should consider just building a modern elevate train down second ave if digging is such a boondoggle. I think the only reason it was torn down is that business owners thought it to be unsightly.

View on HN

0% chance that will happen. It greatly lowers property values which will cause every single owner on the path to come out swinging.

I feel like there is value for a property having it be in walking distance to the would be second ave el. It also needn't look like the 100 year old cast iron els in the bronx or brooklyn. Modern elevated rail is fully welded, so no cathunk cathunk or really any screeching, and it usually sits on a cement bed, which is more aesthetically appealing than the old steel beam els that tend to drip stuff that ruins your paint job in nyc or chicago. In Culver city, for example, there is a pocket park under a portion of their elevated expo line: https://goo.gl/maps/fUFW2xQ9z4imj9XE8

Reply on news.ycombinator.com