Comments on: Inside — and outside — the Second Ave. Subway

By: Jaquan

Jaquan — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 23:14:39 +0000

I just think that the mta will regret the way they designed the second ave subway I would understand if the subway was scaled back, I could respect original station entrances compared to its new counterpart(there’s already one at the bowling green station). In conclusion I would take a scaled back second ave subway design with for a 4 track subway with normal entrances, rather then a more advanced subway with escalators, fancy station entrances and elevators at every station.

By: herenthere

herenthere — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 02:31:56 +0000

When push comes to shove, the MTA will undoubtedly scrap these fancy, although sorely needed and greatly designed, station entrances. Although they should still have a canopy above those sidewalk entrances.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:56:45 +0000

These new vent plants will probably replace the old street grates that ventilate existing tunnels, greatly reducing the risk of flooding in the event of a storm.

By: The Word on the Street, About Meat - City Room Blog - NYTimes.com

The Word on the Street, About Meat - City Room Blog - NYTimes.com — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:17:27 +0000

[...] The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has unveiled some images from the plan for the Second Aven…, which, because of budget setbacks, will very likely be serviced by horse and buggy. [2nd Ave. Sagas] [...]

By: Benjamin Kabak

Benjamin Kabak — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:05:34 +0000

That’s exactly the one I was going to point to. That’s a good one.

Mostly, if you don’t know these things are MTA buildings, you can’t really tell. The substations and ventilation buildings are all over the place.

I think these new ones stick out because of stringent engineering requirements. The MTA used to be able to convert older buildings into ancillary buildings. Now, they have to comply with newer standards. That is, at least, my guess.

By: Kid Twist

Kid Twist — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:52:11 +0000

Cool stuff, Ben. Thanks!

By: Cap'n Transit

Cap'n Transit — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 14:43:42 +0000

Some of the MTA's older "ancillary" buildings are quite nice-looking. Many of them have cool Art Deco styles. There's one at the corner of West Thirteenth Street and Greenwich Avenue.

By: Marc Shepherd

Marc Shepherd — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:52:11 +0000

They’re for ventilation. Many of the existing lines do, in fact, have such facilities. You just don’t know about them because they were built generations ago. Also, the MTA does not publicize where they are located.

By: rhywun

rhywun — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:29:33 +0000

> How do existing lines work without so many of these ancillary buildings?

There’s no air conditioning, little to no ventilation, and they flood at the slightest drop of rain

By: Judge

Judge — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 13:24:23 +0000

Huh. The MTA might actually make those ancillary buildings look better than some of the new buildings going up in the city.