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.
Gramps, what you’re over-looking is the city licenses Bob to operate the tours. Unlike skydiving, where jumpers sign a liability waiver that indemnifies the operator, the city’s revocable consent comes with at least an implicit warranty that the tours are safe. Withdrawing its consent is just self-protection.
Not playing with a full deck? If this was bridge, Bob wouldn’t pick up a single trick.
I live a block away from that hole. I see the crowds. I have been amongst them. As for my math, Grand Pa, here it is.
100 people per day at $15 each is $1500 x Sat and Sun = $3000
Bob conducts this tour 20 or 30 days a year. What is your issue w/my math>
Nothing in life is totally safe, including crossing a Brooklyn street. Whether above or below ground. There should perhaps be some safety measures taken, but otherwise the tours should be like skydiving, a risky fun activity. Diamond should be required to have appropriate insurance.
If you are so scared of the tunnel (as many typical Brownstone busy bodies apparently are), no one is forcing you to go down there. Deal with the fact that some people choose to live life differently than you, as painful as that might be to realize.
As for making money, last time I checked this is still America. Everyone needs a hustle.
BHillGuy- LOL, math is apparently not your strong suit, my friend.
This whole thing stinks! Where can we see the books of his non-profit?
Diamond payed the city a $250 a year fee to operate the tours under an agreement through 2018.
He says his organization has $20K that he can now spend on lawsuits against the city.
I have asked this question before and no one seems to be able to answer it for me—where does the money go? My gf and I took this tour last summer. We counted (conservatively) 100-130 people on that day each one paying $15 for the right to climb into a dangerous hole and have Bob conduct “his tour.” With the pittance he pays his student interns (pittance is their word not mine) he’s gotta be making $80-$100K a year! Does he give it to the city and take a small percentage? Does he kick back some to city officials for the right to “own” a tour of city property? It’s all very strange and that no one ever seems to look into it is wrong, wrong, wrong. Bob acts as if he owns that hole and frankly, he must be stopped until we all know how this money is divided up. How has the City of NY put up w/ this for so long? Bob is clearly NOT playing with a full deck. And if (God forbid) someone hurt themselves down in that hole who would be responsible? The City of NY? Bob? I am calling for a full accounting of this thing and if someone with the city doesn’t make that happen then the city and Bob deserve any problem that might come from this silly tour.
what scott said- bob is well intentioned and tells an amazing story but he is clearly not playing with a full deck.
The swift resolution is, is it a safety hazard or not? Who’s liable if, god forbid, Mr. Diamond or one of his tourists gets injured?
I think the tunnel should be open for tours, but Bob Diamond does not seem the be best person to doing it.
The should make a nice commemorative plaque for him and hang it in the entrance, then find a legit non-profit who to manage the tours.