West 58th Street Residents Fuming After Street Shuts Down Through US Open
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Residents of 58th Street just south of Central Park weren't feeling the "love" this week over the decision to close their street for the entire length of the US Open.
As 1010 WINS' Juliet Papa reported, Academy buses and silver US Open transport cars have been parked on the block, sometimes idling and sometimes at fire hydrants – in violation of city law.
Residents woke up last Thursday morning to find orange cones lining the streets and US Open employees moving barricades to block front entrances of buildings.
The buses and cars were there to transport players and officials who are staying at the Essex House Marriott Hotel, which has its back entrance on 58th Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues.
Unlike movie shoots, which generally post permits days in advance to let businesses and residents on the block know to move their cars, and that work will be done there, no prior notice was given in this case.
Permits were posted on parking signs on Thursday, the day the street was closed. In addition to the closure, the giant buses also narrow the street where Essex House and One57 Park Hyatt delivery trucks park -- causing back-ups, noise and unnecessary idling.
Police on the block said they were only there to secure transport of the US Open players, and could not do anything about the city permit allowing the street closure.
The area community board has reached out to assorted entities, but as of this week, there had been no result.
Residents have suggested that the buses and cars park on 59th Street/Central Park South, because that is a two-lane street and can accommodate the parked buses and cars and still keep traffic moving. West 58th is a one-lane, one-way street.
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