West Shore, Staten Island
Encyclopedia
West Shore refers to the section of the New York City
borough
of Staten Island
that borders the Arthur Kill
, between the Staten Island Expressway and the Fresh Kills
. The Arthur Kill shoreline north of the expressway — most commonly called Port Ivory
— is considered part of the North Shore
, while the land along the Arthur Kill south of Fresh Kills is generally included within the South Shore
.
While only one residential neighborhood — Travis
— can actually be found on the West Shore, other place names are used to identify locations to the north of Travis, chief among them Bloomfield
and Chelsea
. A study by the New York City Department of City Planning
also identified Howland Hook/Arlington
, Rossville
, Woodrow
, Charleston
and Tottenville
as being part of the West Shore, along with Fresh Kills Park.
The West Shore Expressway, which connects the Staten Island Expressway with the Richmond Parkway at the Staten Island terminus of the Outerbridge Crossing
, is the area's principal north-south thoroughfare, while the western end of Victory Boulevard, in Travis, is its main east-west road.
Through the late 20th Century, land use
in the West Shore was dominated by industrial activities (Travis was once named "Linoleumville" as a consequence of a linoleum factory having once been built there), most notably oil refining and construction
; in the latter example, much property in the region is devoted to the storage of heavy equipment, such as cement mixers. In addition, a few horse stables and riding academies exist in the area, which is the least densely populated section of Staten Island. Many species of migratory birds can be found in the area, especially on nearby Prall's Island
.
In the 1990s, a string of large office complexes were built along South Avenue, which begins in Mariners Harbor
on the North Shore
, and ends in Travis; other businesses arrived later, including a Hilton
hotel
in 2003. A large Con Edison electrical plant stands at the site of the former linoleum factory in Travis, which is also the home of the Teleport, a high-tech industrial park
built in the early 1980s, mostly to house companies engaged in the communications industry.
The West Shore's vast expanses of unused land has made it the focus of many ambitious and controversial development proposals at the start of the 21st Century. The most prominent of these involves the possible building of a NASCAR
racetrack there — a plan that has engendered spirited debate in Staten Island political circles. A 2004 proposal included a 2.5 miles (4 km) oval track that would be constructed on a largely unused 440 acres (1.8 km²) site.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
borough
Borough (New York City)
New York City, one of the largest cities in the world, is composed of five boroughs. Each borough now has the same boundaries as the county it is in. County governments were dissolved when the city consolidated in 1898, along with all city, town, and village governments within each county...
of Staten Island
Staten Island
Staten Island is a borough of New York City, New York, United States, located in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay...
that borders the Arthur Kill
Arthur Kill
The Arthur Kill is a tidal strait separating Staten Island, New York from mainland New Jersey, USA, and a major navigational channel of the Port of New York and New Jersey. Kill is from the Middle Dutch word kille, meaning "riverbed" or "water channel"...
, between the Staten Island Expressway and the Fresh Kills
Fresh Kills
Fresh Kills is a stream and freshwater estuary in the western portion of the New York City borough of Staten Island...
. The Arthur Kill shoreline north of the expressway — most commonly called Port Ivory
Port Ivory, Staten Island
Port Ivory is a coastal area situated in the northwestern corner of Staten Island, New York City, New York, United States. It is located on Newark Bay near the entrances the Kill van Kull to the west and Arthur Kill to the east....
— is considered part of the North Shore
North Shore, Staten Island
The term North Shore is frequently applied to a series of neighborhoods within New York City's borough of Staten Island, USA.- Boundaries :...
, while the land along the Arthur Kill south of Fresh Kills is generally included within the South Shore
South Shore, Staten Island
The South Shore is a geographical term applied to the area in the New York City borough of Staten Island, south and east of the island's ridge of hills along the waterfront and adjacent areas from the Narrows to the mouth of the Arthur Kill, although many observers prefer to restrict its scope to...
.
While only one residential neighborhood — Travis
Travis, Staten Island
Travis is a neighborhood at the west-central shore of Staten Island, one of the five boroughs of New York City. Some local geographers classify Travis as being on the island's West Shore, while others reckon it as a Mid-Island neighborhood.-Name:...
— can actually be found on the West Shore, other place names are used to identify locations to the north of Travis, chief among them Bloomfield
Bloomfield, Staten Island
Bloomfield is the name of a neighborhood on the West Shore of the New York City borough of Staten Island, New York, USA. It lies immediately to the north of Travis. Prall's Island is situated in the Arthur Kill off its coast....
and Chelsea
Chelsea, Staten Island
Chelsea is a neighborhood located on the West Shore of Staten Island, New York City, United States. It is located west of the West Shore Expressway. It is mainly industrial and is served by the West Shore Branch of the Staten Island Railway. It is the site of Staten Island's West Shore Plaza and...
. A study by the New York City Department of City Planning
New York City Department of City Planning
The Department of City Planning is a governmental agency of New York City responsible for setting the framework of city's physical and socioeconomic planning...
also identified Howland Hook/Arlington
Arlington, Staten Island
Arlington is a neighborhood on the North Shore of Staten Island, in New York City. It is a subsection of the Mariners' Harbor neighborhood, with the general boundaries located to the west of South Avenue...
, Rossville
Rossville, Staten Island
Rossville is the name of a neighborhood of Staten Island, New York, located to the west of Prince's Bay, on the island's South Shore.-Early History of the Area:...
, Woodrow
Woodrow, Staten Island
Woodrow is a name increasingly applied to the western part of Huguenot, a neighborhood located on the South Shore of Staten Island, New York, United States.The first Methodist church in the immediate New York City area opened in the neighborhood in 1771...
, Charleston
Charleston, Staten Island
Charleston is the name of a neighborhood, or section, of New York City's borough of Staten Island. It is located on the island's South Shore, with Tottenville to the south, Pleasant Plains to the East, Rossville to the north, and the Arthur Kill to the west....
and Tottenville
Tottenville, Staten Island
Tottenville with an area of approx. , is the southernmost neighborhood of Staten Island, New York City and New York State. Originally named Bentley Manor by one of its first settlers, Captain Christopher Billop , after a small ship he owned named the Bentley, the district was renamed Tottenville in...
as being part of the West Shore, along with Fresh Kills Park.
The West Shore Expressway, which connects the Staten Island Expressway with the Richmond Parkway at the Staten Island terminus of the Outerbridge Crossing
Outerbridge Crossing
The Outerbridge Crossing is a cantilever bridge which spans the Arthur Kill. The "Outerbridge", as it is commonly known, connects Perth Amboy, New Jersey, with the New York City borough of Staten Island and carries NY-440 and NJ-440, each road ending at the respective state border.The bridge was...
, is the area's principal north-south thoroughfare, while the western end of Victory Boulevard, in Travis, is its main east-west road.
Through the late 20th Century, land use
Land use
Land use is the human use of land. Land use involves the management and modification of natural environment or wilderness into built environment such as fields, pastures, and settlements. It has also been defined as "the arrangements, activities and inputs people undertake in a certain land cover...
in the West Shore was dominated by industrial activities (Travis was once named "Linoleumville" as a consequence of a linoleum factory having once been built there), most notably oil refining and construction
Construction
In the fields of architecture and civil engineering, construction is a process that consists of the building or assembling of infrastructure. Far from being a single activity, large scale construction is a feat of human multitasking...
; in the latter example, much property in the region is devoted to the storage of heavy equipment, such as cement mixers. In addition, a few horse stables and riding academies exist in the area, which is the least densely populated section of Staten Island. Many species of migratory birds can be found in the area, especially on nearby Prall's Island
Prall's Island
Prall's Island is an uninhabited island in the Arthur Kill between Staten Island, New York, and Linden, New Jersey, in the United States. It is one of the minor islands that are part of the borough of Staten Island in New York City...
.
In the 1990s, a string of large office complexes were built along South Avenue, which begins in Mariners Harbor
Mariners Harbor, Staten Island
Mariners Harbor is a neighborhood located in the northwestern part of New York City, USA's borough of Staten Island. It is bordered by Lake Avenue to the east, Lisk Avenue to the south, Richmond Terrace to the north, and Holland Avenue to the west...
on the North Shore
North Shore, Staten Island
The term North Shore is frequently applied to a series of neighborhoods within New York City's borough of Staten Island, USA.- Boundaries :...
, and ends in Travis; other businesses arrived later, including a Hilton
Hilton Hotels
Hilton Hotels & Resorts is an international chain of full-service hotels and resorts founded by Conrad Hilton and now owned by Hilton Worldwide. Hilton hotels are either owned by, managed by, or franchised to independent operators by Hilton Worldwide. Hilton Hotels became the first coast-to-coast...
hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
in 2003. A large Con Edison electrical plant stands at the site of the former linoleum factory in Travis, which is also the home of the Teleport, a high-tech industrial park
Industrial park
An industrial park is an area zoned and planned for the purpose of industrial development...
built in the early 1980s, mostly to house companies engaged in the communications industry.
The West Shore's vast expanses of unused land has made it the focus of many ambitious and controversial development proposals at the start of the 21st Century. The most prominent of these involves the possible building of a NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
racetrack there — a plan that has engendered spirited debate in Staten Island political circles. A 2004 proposal included a 2.5 miles (4 km) oval track that would be constructed on a largely unused 440 acres (1.8 km²) site.