The bad economy is derailing plans to make the Stamford Transportation Center safer. Residents spoke out at a hearing of the Connecticut Public Transportation Commission Tuesday evening to blast the station's narrow stairs and platforms and the inadequate parking.
The message they got back was that there is no gravy train to pay for repairs.
Stamford resident Frank Steinegger said the station has "the most unsafe parking facility in the Connecticut rail system." He added, "During the morning rush hour, people slip and fall. The electric doors from the tunnel to the station should be removed immediately, and there's not enough room on the platforms for incoming and departing passengers to move."
Resident Ed Czescik, who said he owns a business next to the station, complained that "there's a two- to three-year waiting list for a parking space with over 2,500 names on it. People park all over my business property that borders the transportation center."
Commission chairwoman Gail Lavielle and members Frederick Reise, Yvonne Loteczka and Chairman Kevin Maloney were all sympathetic, but stressed that money for improvements is scarce.
Nick Kyriakos, who represents the developer Atlantic Center at Stamford Transit, told the group that its proposal for a mixed-use project north of the existing center has been approved by both the governor and the Department of Transportation. Kyriakos said it included a new parking garage to be paid for by public funds but that the budget request died on the last day of the legislature.
Click here if you feel the Stamford train station is unsafe. Tell us how you would improve it.
Click here to follow Daily Voice and receive free news updates.
