The MTA's two-year rehabilitation of the Dyckman St 1 station,
which greatly improves conditions for customers and adds a new
elevator, was marked today by a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by MTA
Board Vice Chairman Fernando Ferrer, NYC Transit President Carmen
Bianco, NYC Council Transportation Chair Ydanis Rodriguez, State Senator
Adriano Espaillat, Assembly Member Gabriela Rosa, MTA officials and
community leaders from Upper Manhattan.
This
$31 million rehabilitation project, which includes the addition of a
new state-of-the-art elevator from the station mezzanine to the
southbound platform, was completed in November. Over the past two
years, the station has undergone major repairs to its interior and
exterior finishes.
"We
have been able to fully rehabilitate this historic station improving
the structural aspects and customer amenities while retaining the unique
architectural features that have made this station so visually
special," NYC Transit President Carmen Bianco said.
"As
part of this contract, NYC Transit was also able to carry out line
structure steel repairs, waterproofing and track replacement," said MTA Vice Chairman Fernando Ferrer.
"Together with the other work we have completed along this corridor,
customers will see more reliable service and vastly improved amenities."
After
years of deferred maintenance, the finished station now has new
concrete platforms, a refurbished Fort George Tunnel Portal, new
platform windscreens, new canopies (which include salvaged wood
rafters), and a refurbished control area with restored historic
finishes.
Some
of these finishes include wood frame windows, mosaic tiles, granite
floor tiles, plaster ceiling, ceramic wall tiles and "iron-spot" bricks,
replicated cast iron guardrails, and restored mosaic tile signage at
the platform level. New cast iron lighting was installed at the
entrance and platform level, designed to reflect the historical era of
the originals.
The
new elevator, serving the downtown platform, is the first of its kind
to be installed inside New York City Transit. It features an
energy-efficient, reliable, machine room-less (MRL) elevator system.
This type of elevator uses conventional steel cord ropes as hoisting
cables operated by a motorized traction hoisting machine installed at
the top side wall.
Other
upgrades that will also improve access for the disabled include a ramp
at the station entrance, realignment of the station platforms,
modification of the staircases, and the installation of new railings and
door handles. The sidewalk leading to the station head-house has been
reconfigured to improve pedestrian safety.
In addition to the Dyckman St 1 Station
Rehab, component work at a cost of approximately $23 million was
completed at five other stations: 207 St, 215 St, 225 St, 238 St and Van
Cortlandt Park-242 St. Platform edges and canopies were replaced at
all five stations. Street stairs were also replaced at the 207 St and
225 St stations.
At Dyckman
St, MTA Arts for Transit commissioned an artist to create additional
artwork during the station's rehabilitation. In creating the artwork
for the station, Wopo Holup found inspiration in nature. "Birds in
Flight-Moon View" consists of ceramic tile reliefs of birds in flight
that were originally installed in 1991 within the white tile of the
mezzanine wall and stairwells. The new work provides a view of the
earth as seen from the moon. In the artist's words, "Birds in
Flight-Moon View" greets customers upon entering the station and
emphasizes nature and the vastness of the universe.''
Opened in 1906, the Dyckman St 1 Station
is a design unique in the system and is listed in the National Register
of Historic Places. The outdoor station situated just north of the
Fort George Tunnel portal has two side platforms above a masonry head
house. The fare control area is located in the station building below
track level.
"For Upper Manhattan residents, the 1 train
is nothing short of a lifeline. It's a vital route that our community
relies to get to work, school and everything in between," said Senator Adriano Espaillat.
"After fighting for urgently-needed improvements at this heavily
trafficked station, it is exciting to unveil the results for our
neighborhood. The new station is safer, better designed and more
accessible. Dyckman Streetcommuters are going to be thrilled."
"These
repairs - which will include an increase in accessibility for the
thousands of strap hangers using the newly refurbished Dyckman Street 1 station is a breath of fresh air for Inwood and Washington Heights residents," said City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito.
"I applaud the work New York City Transit and my colleague Council
Member Ydanis Rodriguez have done to ensure that our residents get the
best this transit system has to offer."
NYC Council Transportation Chair Ydanis Rodriguez
said: "Lack of accessibility to Uptown subway stations has long been an
issue for this community. With these station upgrades, the MTA is
taking a strong step toward expanding the scope of transportation for
the many disabled persons in Northern Manhattan. Combined with the
recent structural renovations, the Dyckman St 1 station
is now one of which our community can be proud. I hope we can continue
to locate areas to improve accessibility both uptown and around NYC so
that all New Yorkers are able to use our great public transportation
system."
"As Inwood continues to see a commercial resurgence, I'm excited to see the Dyckman 1 train
station receive an essential renovation to ensure that residents in the
area have access to a much-needed upgraded public transportation," said
Council Member Mark Levine. "This station proudly
served the area for 108 years, as part of the National Register of
Historic Places in New York City, and has long needed to be revamped.
Now the community can reap the transportation benefits of a modern
station that they need and deserve."
