No tunnel vision
Council backs closure of Robin St. pathway
Trending
Dunkirk's decrepit Robin Street pedestrian tunnel is targeted for closure, and the Common Council recently passed a resolution of support.
CSX owns the tracks above the tunnel, and city officials have said the railroad needs a ruling by a federal administrative judge to get the tunnel closed. The resolution will presumably assist CSX in that effort.
"That tunnel has been a safety issue," said Councilman Frank Torain. "It's no longer being used as it used to be, when quite a few students were using it to go to school."
Police Chief Douglas Switzer noted that the city installed cameras down there a few years ago -- but vandals spray-painted the lenses. He said there have been quite a few graffiti incidents in the tunnel.
That is very clear during the OBSERVER'S latest visit to the tunnel. It looks worse than ever. The walls are entirely covered with spray-painted graffiti. Trash, including a mattress, and unknown liquid substances fill the floor and steps.
The tunnel has existed since the railroad tracks got elevated in 1940, and some residents aren't thrilled about closing it, mainly for sentimental reasons. Councilman Michael Civiletto seemingly gave voice to that line of thinking.
"Historically, this was something the kids used," he said. "It's unfortunate we have to close it."
In fact, Civiletto continued, he was not initially inclined to vote for the resolution supporting the closure. However, he changed his mind for safety reasons.
The Common Council voted 4-0 to support closing the tunnel, with Civiletto and Torain joined by Natalie Luczkowiak and Nick Weiser. Councilman Gary Frederickson was not at the meeting.