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Home > Articles By Issue > Showcase > August 2006

Traveling In Style continued

Many Moving Parts

Construction of Whitehall Ferry Terminal began in early 2001. DOT determined that ferry service would continue throughout the entire process, and to facilitate this, it had an interim terminal built alongside the site.

Providing uninterrupted service to the approximately 60,000 commuters and visitors using the ferries each day presented challenges. “We had to meet constantly with the contractors to ensure our ferry service was not compromised in any way,” explains Giaccio. “Among other things, this involved directing riders through different areas of the terminal during the various phases of construction. Communication between the operations staff, EDC, and the contractors was certainly crucial to making this happen successfully.”

And while the terminal staff worked to ensure its internal operations remained intact, the project team encountered challenges beyond its borders. The complexities of New York City’s underground utility and transportation systems were among the factors the team faced. In recalling the construction, which lasted a little more than four years, Giaccio explains, “Lower Manhattan has a tremendous amount of unmapped and undesignated utilities underground. In addition, there are many structures underneath the facility site, including a subway station, that needed to be accommodated.

“The foundation of the building had to be redesigned several times,” Giaccio continues, “because if utilities were not on the map, we did not know what was underneath until digging began. Like any unexpected factor, this set us back in the schedule, but it was not critical.”

When redesigns were required, as was the case with the building foundation, Earth Tech, a New York City-based architectural firm, was the point of contact. EDC hired the firm to ensure that any changes during the process were in compliance with building codes. “If we needed to redesign an aspect of the facility,” says Giaccio, “Earth Tech helped us to facilitate the change.”

Sailing Into A New Era

When the new terminal opened to the public on February 8, 2005, it was hailed as a milestone for New York City. Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said, “Today is a great day for Lower Manhattan and Staten Island. Instead of scurrying through dark and dilapidated terminals onto 40-year old boats, passengers will travel through architecturally exceptional, airy terminals onto a state of the art fleet.”

The event was also attended by Congressman Vito Fossella, DOT Commissioner Iris Weinshall, and EDC President Andrew Alper, which reflected the collaborative nature of the project.

“To see the project complete has been very rewarding,” says Giaccio. “Having a brand new terminal makes everyone happy. Visitors have reported to us on many occasions that the new facility is a 100% improvement over the old terminal.”

While it may sound simple, Giaccio notes that some of the rider satisfaction is due to the presence of five escalators which support the prime mission of the terminal—transporting people to and from the waiting area to the ferries. The previous terminal contained just one escalator for ferry riders to use.

In addition to the rooftop viewing deck, ferry riders enjoy other amenities, such as an assortment of concession stands, which occupy 6,000 square feet.

The waiting room is also complemented with a functional art installation of granite benches, entitled, “Whitehall Crossing.” Divided into three serpentine rows within the space, and giving riders an attractive place to rest, the benches were created by artist Ming Fay, who was commissioned through the city’s “Percent for Art” program. This program is administered by the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs, which helps to fund art installations for construction projects in public spaces.

In order to ensure the terminal remains a top-notch facility, DOT has taken several proactive measures. For one, there is now a ferry terminal manager on site at all times. “This newly created position serves as a constant presence,” explains Giaccio. The terminal manager complements the terminal supervisor, a position that existed prior to the opening of the new facility.

As would be expected, security is also a very important issue at the site. Whether on the lookout for vandalism, rider safety, or threats of terrorism, the surveillance team at Whitehall Ferry Terminal is always on duty. Staff members have the ability to monitor the facility both inside and out 24 hours a day.

Another service crucial to the terminal, especially in light of current headlines, is the ability to maintain power for operations in the event of a utility problem. The solar energy used by the terminal is one way the facility management department ensures consistent power for a portion of the facility’s needs. However, the team has also installed diesel generators on-site to supplement power needs in case of a power loss from the utility company.

In describing the terminal’s capabilities, Giaccio says, “A few months ago, we performed a ‘pull the plug’ exercise to find out how we would fare if we lost total power from Con Edison. We found that in the event of a blackout, we would have enough emergency power to sustain ferry service.” Giaccio notes that some energy loads, such as air conditioning, would be shed in this scenario; however, other operations, including lighting and escalators, would continue to function.

Judging from the continual service provided while the project was underway, DOT will remain proactive in ensuring a positive trip for ferry riders. Whether entering the Whitehall Ferry Terminal from the harbor side or from the street, the thousands of people who use the Staten Island Ferry each day are welcomed with an efficient and attractive building. Riders are sure to enjoy the facility for years to come.

This article was based on an interview with John Giaccio (jgiaccio@dot.nyc.gov) and from project literature. To learn more, visit www.nyc.gov/html/dot/, and click on “Mass Transit.”

To share your new construction and renovation stories, please send an e-mail to avazquez@groupc.com. To read past Showcase features, visit the Web at www.todaysfacilitymanager.com/showcase.asp.

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