NYC’s New Taxis

Big news for the Big Apple as New York City has unveiled the next generation of city taxis. The Nissan NV200 was introduced to the public yesterday at the New York Auto Show and it’s packing some cool new features.

The NV200 will come with USB and 12V power ports for charging your gear, a rider controlled GPS system and the ability for the rider to control the heat and AC. Some of the lower-tech features include simple but highly functional details like more leg room, a flat floor so you can easily slide across the seat, doors that slide open, lights on the floor and ceiling and a glass sunroof. Everyone seems excited about the anti-microbial odor-absorbing seats that will supposedly keep the car smelling fresh but I’ll believe that when I smell it.

With all these new and improved features it seems odd that the cabs will run on old-fashioned gas engines rather than hybrid or electric ones but there is talk of an electric version arriving in 2017.

The new taxis should be showing up on streets in late 2013. For more information and specs, visit Nissan’s official site by clicking here.

Tasty Plans For Hudson

Word on the Street, a great blog about Hudson, NY, is reporting on the proposed plans to turn the lot at 347 Warren Street into an outdoor food court with multiple food trucks and a beer garden. Apparently, the project architect and owner of 3FortySeven (347 Warren Street) shop, Michael Davis, has already presented his plan to the Hudson Planning Commission for approval. The commission asked for more detailed renderings and will meet again to review those renderings at City Hall on April 11 at 7 p.m.

Here is one of the renderings already presented

I’ve eaten at the Tortillaville Truck, which was in the lot last year, and thoroughly enjoyed the food and outdoor eating experience. I really hope the above plan is passed in time for the upcoming season. The Hudson Planning Commission would be fools not to pass this plan.

Rumor Has It: A Hotel Coming to Hudson?

Word on the Street, a great blog about Hudson, NY, has an interesting post about a hotel opening in Hudson. According to the post, the Ace Hotel Group is rumored to be purchasing the old Pocketbook Factory building on North 6th St.

Ace has made a name for itself by renovating and reimagining classic buildings on the West Coast and in NYC.

From AceHotel.com:

“At each location we have brought new life to challenged historical properties in emerging locations, and we approach each renovation individually and sustainably, and always with open ears.”

Lets hope the rumors are true because a hotel like that sounds perfect for Hudson and Columbia County.

NY State Rail Projects Getting $149M From Feds

September 26, 2011 11:46 AM

Associated Press

ALBANY — New York state is getting nearly $150 million in federal transportation funding aimed at upgrading passenger service in Amtrak’s Empire Corridor.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says more than $91 million will go toward adding a 17-mile second track between Albany and Schenectady, where the existing single track owned by CSX is shared by Amtrak and freight trains.

Another $58 million will fund track and platform improvements at the Albany-Rensselaer and Schenectady stations, as well as the relocation of signal wires on the Hudson Line south of Albany.

The projects are part of the state’s effort to boost high-speed rail service in New York, including trains traveling between Albany and the Buffalo region.

Construction on the projects is expected to start in late summer 2012.

Library ebooks for Kindle

Kindle users now have the ability to download eBooks from Mid-Hudson Libraries. Users can browse the collection of bestselling and classic eBooks and check out titles with their library card to their Kindle and Kindle Apps.

Check out the Mid-Hudson Library System site for more info and to check out Kindle-optomized ebooks. Click here to visit the Kindle page.