Green giant

Yesterday was Earth Day and the mayor laid out his plans for the city's long-term sustainability, including congestion pricing:

"It will be a real problem for operations for trucking companies and shippers, including all the retailers in Manhattan, which is substantial," said ATA spokesman Clayton Boyce. "And all the people who get FedEx and UPS deliveries will have problems and will bear extra expense, so we definitely see problems with it."

Bloomy Lays Out Plans for the Future of NYC

Even if it passed, it is not likely to be in place for some time. City officials say they need a year or so to upgrade some mass transit options like express buses, because in many cases, New Yorkers drive into Manhattan from the outer boroughs because they have no viable public transportation in those areas.

Meanwhile, the NY Press reports that London's "model" congestion pricing plan had 5 major flaws:

1. The plan has done little to lower congestion in London
2. It is a financial boondoggle
3. It's unfair to the poor
4. People hate it
5. They'll get you anyway

Then there's the re-zoning and 10-minute-walk-to-a-park answers:

"The plan calls for zoning changes in many neighborhoods with access to public transportation that would allow for larger homes and a higher density of housing, although such changes are often resisted in those neighborhoods.

Bloomberg Draws a Blueprint for a Greener City

It pledges that every New Yorker would live within a 10-minute walk from a park, and it calls for small public plazas in each community board district that does not have a park."

Mayor unveils monster proposal to make our town more ecofriendly

The administration also proposed converting at least two dozen asphalt fields to synthetic turf, making the fields more inviting to a greater range of games.

'RAIL' BIG HOUSING PLAN

The mayor said his administration would consider constructing decks over rail yards, rail lines and, incredibly, even congested highways [for new housing].

And here we thought the 2030 Plan might actually be something revolutionary. Rather, most of it appears to really be the same old shit repackaged with a fancy label.

The entire 2030 plan may be viewed here.

Green Giant cartoon from AM-NY.