De Blasio's L Train News Conference Flummoxes Reporters

GRAMERCY, NY — If locals were confused about Mayor Bill de Blasio's appearance on a Brooklyn street corner Tuesday afternoon, they were not alone. The hoard of reporters that joined the mayor on his L train ride from Gramercy to East Williamsburg waited patiently for him to explain why the event was held.

But when de Blasio offered no updates on mitigation plans for the L train shutdown, Politico reporter Dana Rubinstein asked for clarification.

"How would you characterize the purpose of this press conference?"

"Of this press conference?" De Blasio replied. "To tell people in the communities affected that the city of New York is ready."

Yet few locals were able to participate in the event, as it was guarded by barriers and NYPD officers who blocked the plaza at the corner of Grand Street and Bushwick Avenue.

The mayor's response also conflicted with his earlier contention that New Yorkers understood and accept the difficulties the Canarsie Tunnel's 15-month shutdown will present.

"It must be done so that the L train can work in the future for everyone, and I think New Yorkers understand that," de Blasio said. "They understand that sometimes it's better to get the job done once and for all."

The Mayor went on to assure residents of East Williamsburg, a landlocked neighborhood, they could rely on East River ferries to provide an L train alternative, as well as increased select bus service and additions to biking infrastructure, such as pedal-assisted bikes and new bike lanes.

De Blasio was just another straphanger on the L train Tuesday and rode the line from Union Square to the Grand Street station news conference. In the midst of his trip, one comutter tried to quiz the mayor on shutdown specifics. De Blasio responded with sweeping generalities.

"This is a very big deal," de Blasio told the fellow rider. "We're gonna make sure there are plans in place to make sure people can get around."

De Blasio was joined by Brooklyn City Council members Antonio Reynoso, Raphael Espinal and Stephen Levin. Before the event, a representative from the Mayor's office declined to tell Patch what the purpose of the press conference was, stating only that reporters would have to attend the news conference to find out.

Photo by Kathleen Culliton