Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Carolyn Konheim

In Defense of Horodniceanu

9:35 AM EDT on March 22, 2007

Michael_H.JPGThis comment from Carolyn Konheim of Community Consulting Services, which appeared on a thread that stemmed from our earlier report
about the likely appointment of Michael Horodniceanu (right) as the
next NYC DOT Commissioner, provides an interesting counterpoint to the
"cars-first" rap he has been tagged with:

MichaelHorodniceanu is more progressive than generally appreciated.  He reallyknows city streets and how they could function better for everyone. Hisfirm's Technical Memo #1 to NYCDOT on Downtown Brooklyn so honestlyreported traffic and transit conditions (including the penalty of"free" bridges) that developers' EISs and compliant agencies have beencovering up, that the rest of the high level study -- a Mayoralcommitment -- has been buried for two years.

Mike was a pioneertraffic calmer. In 1986, as NYCDOT Deputy Commissioner, he offered$600,000 to carry out a community traffic calming plan that would havedone 20 years ago what the City's costly sidewalk cosmetics stillignore -- protecting neighborhood streets from through traffic.  He wasso far ahead of his time that he took brickbats in a personal appeal toa skeptical community board that now rues the day they voted it down.Today, he uses graphic traffic network models (tools NYCDOT has refusedfor Brooklyn) to show how innovative pedestrian measures can benefiteveryone.  If chosen, he'll know where in the agency to find goodpeople ready to do the right thing.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

The Explainer: What’s Next for Congestion Pricing?

Let's run through the major issues still looming over New York City's first-in-the-nation congestion toll.

December 4, 2023

Monday’s Headlines: Congestion Ahead Edition

Good news: We're not going to start our week with our typical ascent on our long-legged steed to criticize the Times for its flawed, car-centric coverage. Plus other news.

December 4, 2023

Elon Musk’s Cybertruck is the Perfect Killing Machine

The Cybertruck represents a lot of what's wrong with the U.S. transportation system — even as it purports to address those problems.

December 4, 2023

Highway Boondoggles 2023: Salt Lake Shenanigans

Plans for a major freeway expansion based on over-inflated traffic projections are a wrongheaded way to deal with the region’s rapid population growth.

December 3, 2023

Cycle of Rage: Mayor is Failing the Leadership Test on Congestion Pricing

Purely for political and self-serving purposes, Mayor Adams is attacking congestion pricing — and, in doing so, is undermining the implementation of a program that he has long claimed to be a "strong" supporter of.

December 1, 2023
See all posts