With all the news this week on the failed attempt by the MTA to develop a new train station on Manhattan's west side at 60th Street, it was easy to miss out on the fact that a station to be developed at Riverside and West 125th Street is a go. Currently, the only way to get directly to the train station on the west side is by going to the Marble Hill stop all the way up in the early West 200's (which technically is the Bronx) on the 1 line. There was an old train station at 130th Street and Riverside in the 19th century but it was demolished in the early 1920's (top photo circa 1925 - after the fact). Seeing that there are already some structures and businesses in Manhattanville that already exist at far West 125th Street, we were left wondering were the station would actually be built. That modernist cube space that's up for rent (second photo) would probably fit perfectly since it is already at that location and sits right under the tracks on the south side of 125th. The second choice would have the have the MTA wheel and deal with Fairway to commandeer their parking and warehouse space on the north side of the street. Otherwise, they might just have to move up a little further north since the old Talay space is still available. We haven't seen any plans yet but all should be revealed in the upcoming months. Stay tuned. The closest station to this location is the 1 train at 125th Street. Read more about what's brewing with the MTA: LINK. Archival photo courtesy NYPL. Current photos by Ulysses
Hi:
ReplyDeleteThe building that now houses Covo and Talay was, at one point, the area's train station. This was before the tracks were elevated and the viaduct was built. I've spoken to some older people who remembered catching the train there as kids.
The fact that a new station, to be built in the neighborhood, is stll moving forward, is a fantastic thing. I hope the MTA can keep up the momentum and the financing.
The station will probably be at the southern end of the neighborhood, above ground at 125th street. Another possibility would be the Northern end of the neighborhood, where 138 curves above Covo. This would mean displacing the community garden, or building the bulk of the station on the West side of the tracks, on the water treatment side, and accessing the station through some king of under track passage.
In either case, this would be great for the neighborhood. It would be a great companion to the staion at 125 on the East Side.
John Dooley
Love that a station is being considered. There is lots of space north of Covo/Talay where the tracks are against parkland. In fact there is an entrance near 139th street where a small old building now stands and that area may be perfect for a station.
ReplyDeleteIt would be more convenient to put it nearer West Harlem Piers though since they are planning water taxis from that location.
This will bring commuters and foot traffic to West Harlem. The area around Manhattanville will be a commercial hub in the next five years.
ReplyDeleteIt does not require a large footprint to have a station (just like the one on E. 125th). I heard rumors that it is going to be between the new Dinosaur location and the new, empty space in the 2nd photo above. Also would make more sense to have it on 125th rather than up by 138th since it will connect to bus lines on 125th.
ReplyDeleteThe Penn Station Access Study's "Comparative Screening Results Report" from 2002:
ReplyDelete"A station with two side platforms could be constructed on a site bounded by St. Clair Place and West 125th Street. As the station would have to be sited on an elevated portion of track, each side platform would be limited to 4 car-lengths. Modifications to existing structural
supports may be necessary. The station would be accessible from either St. Clair or West 125th
Street. Passenger access between the elevated station platforms and the street would be via newly constructed stairwells and/or elevators, the latter of which would be required for ADA compliance."
http://www.mta.info/mta/planning/psas/pdf/comp_results.pdf
I assume this site is still the plan, as EDC got stimulus money last year to advance some kind of "streetscape improvements" to turn the whole area into a "multimodal center" -- one of the recommendations in the West Harlem waterfront master plan -- although I'm confused how this will work considering that the railroad on 12th Ave is a long block from the train on Broadway. I'm assuming there will NOT be a direct connection, like the existing East 125th St Metro North station is a block from the 4/5/6.
We walked by the space today and the train station will definitely be right behind the empty cube space. There is a parking lot there now and this is also right behind the new Dinosaur BBQ space. Such a coup for Dino since they will be getting direct traffic from commuters.
ReplyDeletedoes anyone know what they are doing in the are right outside the new dino? that area that used to just be open road area is now fenced in and construction is underway. any news?
ReplyDelete