P.J. Lloyd’s Reviews > The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York > Status Update

5) Modes of mass transport long gone, Moses was even more calculating. By INTENTIONALLY lowering the headroom for his bridges, Moses made sure that NO BUSES were to ever cross his bridges, even after the point he is long dead and gone. Buses that would greatly alleviate an overwhelming amount of traffic…

4) Moses has an iron grip on transportation. He essentially destroys the NYC and Long Island by starving it of essential mass transportation systems (trains, roads, etc.) Roads are the way, the ONLY way, and millions of New Yorkers are now forced to sit in hours of perpetual traffic. The opportunity to create…

3) Furthermore, Moses’ solidification of the “Joint Program” allows him to finally absorb power of the Port Authority, and this is perhaps Moses’ at his most powerful. He now has more wealth than the entire city, full control over every aspect of city planning. He is free to build whatever he wants…

2) and rents are too high in other areas, so former residents have to reside in either slum housing with high crime or pay double the rent for an apartment similar to the ones they previously occupied. It’s probably the most depressing chapter of the book so far…

1) Sooo yeah, lot to talk about… In the chapter “One Mile” Caro talks about the devastating effects Moses’ construction of the Cross-Bronx Expressway, an expressway that penetrates right through the Bronx to Manhattan, has on the neighborhood of East Tremont. Families are being evicted from their homes…

Out with La Guardia, in with O’Dwyer. O’Dwyer is way more lenient as mayor, allowing Moses to bend him to his will. Moses does this again with Impellitteri, O’Dwyer’s mayoral successor. And if you can believe it, Impellitteri is even MORE lenient!!! Essentially, Moses is mayor now!!!! More roads!!!!

(Pt. 3) Because the aquarium brought attention to the fort, and with aquarium now gone, the fort of Castle Clinton is now a mere monument to be observed instead of a historical site to be interacted with by the people of NYC. The city lost, once again, a significant cultural landmark because of Robert Moses.

Moses wants the entirety of Castle Clinton demolished, announcing his plan in 1940. For 15 years, reformers delay the demolition from taking place, but Moses strips the fort of its roof and other foundations. Eventually, the reformers save the fort thru federal intervention; however, it is not a clear victory…

(Pt. 1) Moses seeks revenge on the reformers that prevented his construction of the Battery Bridge by stripping Castle Clinton of its aquarium. Since Castle Clinton is a park property, Moses has all the power to have his revenge, and the once beloved aquarium is removed. However; Moses goes even further…

Moses pushes for construction of Brooklyn Battery Bridge, but is met with disapproval from Lower Manhattan’s wealthy residents. Further reasons to delay construction on the bridge stem from the much needed construction of hospitals, schools, and other facilities. Will Robert Moses get his way? Probably.