The 96th Street station for the 1,2,3 trains officially had a soft opening yesterday and we had to swing by to take a look at the progress. Most folks traveling to West and Central Harlem use this station to get to the uptown nabes and we have seen the construction going on for years now. The above ground portion still has that protective plastic film on the metal surfaces but the glass panels and lights are all nicely exposed. The main lobby looks a little dusty and more work still needs to be done based on the look of the plywood and exposed cinder blocks that still line the stairwells. Nevertheless, the new toll booths are operating and many customers were congratulating the MTA staff on their new station as they descended the stairs to the platform yesterday. The underground portion, on the other hand, is yet another story. The update of the severely aesthetically challenged modern tiles (possibly from the 80's) are now being replaced by a classic subway tile look but the end of the job never seems to at hand (last photo). This tiling work has been going on over a year now and it seems to just start in small sections and then stop for months at a time. The updated lighting and painting of the lower levels are some of the important final touches that also need tending too. For this first round, the MTA gets points for the quick opening and picking a sculptural station house design (and the retro globe sconces) for the space but the underground sections still has a ways to go. All photos by Ulysses
Thanks for this update! It seemed it would never open. I was pretty sure elevators were coming with this renovation -- Do you have any information on that?
ReplyDeleteWe didn't see any elevators in the station itself but they might have been covered up. Regardless, it's a huge upgrade from that dingy tunnel that everyone had to go through to transfer platforms.
ReplyDeletePer a report on WNYC this morning, there are accessible elevators that are being put in as part of the renovation / new station, but they will not be operable until the fall.
ReplyDeleteI know that there are dreadful budget constraints but accessible stations are SO important, particularly in Harlem where so many use scooters or wheelchairs or have mobility problems. As an example—every Thursday am I lead the office of morning prayer at my church. I throw my adorable child on the school bus at 7.30 am. Back in the house the usual “where’re my keys, metrocard, sunglasses, BoCP, why can I NEVE FIND ANYTHING.” Back to the street, 116th St. Station, zip down to 42nd, switch to local, local to 28th Street, walk over to Ninth Ave and I am in the sacristy and ready to vest by 8.15.
ReplyDeleteWhen I make the same run with boy who is in a wheelchair and we go by bus it’s a good hour +. Mostly +. At times during the week for meetings we will take the bus, or walk, up to 135th to take the train there because they have brand new, sparkling. elevators. And nice people in the booths.
I ramble on. But accessible trains—so important.
I could not agree more with you Sanou. With a baby, a toddler, a stroller a backpack and groceries...forget the steps. Even with the always offered help it is a torture. More elevators yeah!!!
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