"We'd like to see the linking of that area to Manhattan open the door to redevelopment on the waterfront," Fox tells GlobeSt.com. "This could open the area up much like the New York Waterway service did for New Jersey."

Developer Douglas Durst chairs the company, headquartered at 55 Broad St. in Manhattan. Recent Durst developments include a 300,000 SF telecom/datacenter project on West 57th Street between 11th and 12th avenues.

The company has no limits on where the custom-designed docks may be placed. "A benefit of using the water taxi's as opposed to a ferry is that we are not required to build a parking lot in proximity to the dock," says Fox. "We could put these anywhere in the city."

The launch route for 2002 will include Fulton Ferry Landing in Brooklyn and Wall Street/South Street (Pier 11), Battery Park (Pier A), World Financial Center (North Cove), W. 22 Street (Chelsea Piers), W. 44 Street (Pier 84) in Manhattan.

In 2003, the company plans to add docks at W. 79 Street, W. 69 Street, the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum, Greenwich Village, Tribeca and E. 23 Street in Manhattan. An additional port in Greenpoint, Brooklyn will also be built for that year. Individual tickets cost $3, and a 10-trip book runs $20. The schedule for the commuter service will run 6:30am to 7 pm, Monday through Friday and 11 am to 8pm on weekends.

The fleet will be moored at the Beard Street Pier in Red Hook, Brooklyn. The 53-foot catamarans can accommodate 75 passengers on two decks, and have a top speed of 28 mph. The water taxis are constructed in the Derecktor Shipyard in Mamaroneck.

Councilman David Yassky of District 33, where the Fulton Ferry and Greenpoint docks will be located, declined to comment.

Instant Insights /

Durst-Led Water Taxis may Prompt Bklyn Waterfront Redevelopment

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