THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
 
OFFICE OF THE HON. YDANIS RODRIGUEZ 
  
CITY HALL
NEW YORK, NY 10007
(212) 788-7053

December 5, 2016

**Press Release**

Contact:  Russell Murphy, 917-584-9574 / rmurphy2@council.nyc.gov

 
NYC Council Transportation Chair Calls on President-Elect Trump to be Good Neighbor and Move Transition HQ to Ease Midtown Traffic

NYC Council Transportation Chair Ydanis Rodriguez to Trump: Be Part of the Solution, Keep Clear of NYC to Keep People, Commerce Moving and Invest in Our Infrastructure Needs

New York, NY -- Midtown traffic is often bad but has come to a standstill since President-elect Donald Trump has made Trump Tower his transition headquarters. On Monday, Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Chair of the NYC Council Transportation Committee, issued a call to the President-Elect to be a good New Yorker and a good neighbor by conducting his business at one of his many properties across the country that don't sit in the middle of the most populous island in America. 

Residents across the city have been up in arms over the snarled traffic in Midtown, hurting not only car traffic but slowing down pedestrians, cyclists and buses as well. The impact of this means longer commutes, delayed deliveries and more crowded sidewalks in an area with thousands of offices and places of business, resulting in lost revenue. As Donald Trump aims to "Make America Great Again," Council Member Rodriguez urged him to begin by easing travel in midtown:

"We know the pride our president-elect takes in being a New Yorker," said NYC Council Transportation Chair Ydanis Rodriguez. "We're kindly asking President-Elect Trump to be a good neighbor to his fellow New Yorkers by easing their daily commutes. Moving the transition headquarters to Mar-a-Lago, where the weather is nicer, can help end the gridlock on our midtown streets and ease travel for all.

In addition, Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez encouraged President-Elect Trump to prioritize New York City in any infrastructure plans put forward by his administration:

"I know some New Yorkers might even thank Mr. Trump if his infrastructure plans support mass transit upgrades and protections for cyclists and pedestrians. We have severe infrastructure needs, from the Gateway Tunnels to subway signal upgrades and protected bike lanes. Federal support for these initiatives under the much-discussed infrastructure program would be a major sign of good will to Mr. Trump's hometown."

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