New Amtrak Billboard Will Block WaHi River View, Pols

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — Washington Heights residents and elected officials are angry at Amtrak for constructing a billboard over its tracks that may ruin views of Fort Washington Park and the Hudson River.

Local City Councilman Mark Levine sent a letter to the transit company this month demanding that all work a billboard at West 155th Street between Riverside Drive and the West Side Highway be stopped until a proper public outreach campaign is completed. Borough President Gale Brewer and Congressman Adriano Espaillat signed onto the letter.

"There is absolutely no basis for this construction of a billboard that will fundamentally alter the skyline of the neighborhood and be a massive detriment to the beautiful views that our community has always been able to enjoy," Levine wrote in the letter.

The area where West 155th Street meets Riverside Drive is one of the best spots to take in views of the Hudson River because it's an elevated platform. The spot offers clear views of Fort Washington Park and the George Washington Bridge to the north.

Levine claims that Amtrak never notified residents of nearby buildings, Community Board 12 or elected officials of plans to build a billboard over its tracks at West 155th Street. An Amtrak spokesman did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comment.

The billboard isn't the first time Amtrak has rankled Upper Manhattan residents due to operations regarding its tracks running along the west side. In October, public officials accused Amtrak of causing catastrophic damage to a community garden in Harlem due to the spraying of herbicides.