Battle Over Atlantic Ave Tunnel Tours Continues
Yesterday City Room had an update on the battle between Bob Diamond and the Department of Transportation over the very popular tours Diamond runs of the Atlantic Avenue train tunnel. In December the Department of Transportation stopped allowing access to the tunnel because of safety concerns raised by the Fire Department. Diamond filed a notice…
Yesterday City Room had an update on the battle between Bob Diamond and the Department of Transportation over the very popular tours Diamond runs of the Atlantic Avenue train tunnel. In December the Department of Transportation stopped allowing access to the tunnel because of safety concerns raised by the Fire Department. Diamond filed a notice of claim last month, according to City Room, “a precursor to bringing a lawsuit against the city demands that the tunnel be reopened to him and says he wants $2.5 million in damages. ‘If they don’t want to open the tunnel, they have to pay me for my intellectual property,’ he said. ‘I discovered the tunnel and spent 30 years of my life developing and publicizing it into a historical treasure and tourist destination. That is worth money.'” Here’s hoping there’s a swift resolution to this one, as it would be a shame if access to the tunnel—not to mention Diamond’s life work—went out like this.
Fighting to Return to a Subway Vault [City Room]
Photo by Susan NYC.
BHG- he has an agreement with the city until 2018. He’s hardly under the radar. He pays a yearly fee. And don’t you think its ludicrous to compare this guy with the NYSE? I mean, c’mon!
bxgrl: Can you name one othjer instance where a private citizen runs, conducts, and collects money for a tour of CITY OWNED PROPERTY. Bob had been doing this tour for years, yes! Working under the radar of whoever suddenyl decided “enough is enough.” As for his non profit mentioned in the article—the NY Stock Exchange was a non profit until former Governor Spitzer woke up and wondered how Dick Grasso was making $200 M running this non profit. Not the same exactly but close enough for me.
BHS- he didn’t re-popularize the tunnel- he rediscovered it, and he seemed to be the only one who cared enough to share his find with the public and teach them a little bit about NYC history. He’s been conducting tours for decades without any incident and seems sane and savvy enough to have parlayed his find into a living. I still don’t get why everyone is so down on the guy. really.
I don’t hate on Bob at all.
My issue is that from his comments in the referenced articles and from past statements is that I don’t think he is the best person to be leading the organization responsible for the tunnel.
He seems to be erratic and paranoid, and seems to overstate his role regarding the tunnel.
I think the tunnel is very cool historic asset, and should not be controlled by one person based solely on the facts that he re-popularized it 20+ years ago and has been the its cheerleader.
Grand Pa: The tours are not every weekend but are given once a month at least.
I did the tour several years ago and enjoyed it.
It was unique and interesting.
I was surprised however, that the city allowed such a venture to proceed given the way practically every single aspect of city life is over-regulated these days. (e.g. you need a kayak permit to go into the water, you need a fishing permit to hang out on a pier and on some beaches they roll up the boardwalk at 9:00PM precisely and patrol like it’s the Korean DMZ.)
A secondary exit point would be a good idea for the Atlantic Tunnel in case of an emergency.
I have no problem with this guy making money as others have stated, just improve the safety plan.
It is my understanding that the tours do not go down every weekend. Maybe 3-4 times a year, at least they were a few years back. If they are now providing tours every weekend, then I stand corrected.
I don’t get the Bob hate. Here’s a guy who discovered a piece of NYC history and made a living out of it. Good for him- isn’t this the “American Dream?” People do it everyday. The article says the main point of concern is that there is only one access point. Someone figured this out after 30 years, with numerous Fire Dept. inspections in the past, which declared the tunnel safe?
My guess is someone realized you can make money doing tours ( Think Subway Museum)and wants him out so the City can take over.
I aint mad at him. He’s getting money.
He and FDNY/DOT need to work together and come up with a safety solution that makes everybody happy. He got a way this long he should be happy. Now he’ll have to “suffer” a little down time and put safety first.
Unless there’s something shady with the FDNY going on (extortion, kickbacks, etc). That’d be a big f****** suprise.
Off topic, are you supposed to tip the Trader Joe’s guys that bring the black cart out to your car?
***Bid half off peak comps***