<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=08dw3l_1CdVs6tx00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=08dw3l_1CdVs6tx00" width="900" height="600" ></figure>The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced accessibility upgrades are coming to the 50 St train station.Made possible by the Zoning for Accessibility program, a provision adopted by the City Council in 2021 that lets real estate developers build bigger in exchange for making improvements to nearby public transportation facilities. As part of this agreement, Extell Development Company, the developer of 871 Seventh Avenue, has agreed to fund and build these upgrades: <ul><li>Two new sidewalk-to-platform elevators serving the northbound and southbound platforms </li><li>A new sidewalk stair entrance and fare control area serving the northbound platform to be located on Broadway south of 52nd Street. </li><li>Structural rehab work on behalf of the MTA for the station at the southern corners of Broadway and 50th St. </li></ul>“The MTA is building ADA elevators at five times the previous pace, but when you’re trying to deliver universal accessibility in a century-old subway system, you’ve got to get creative,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “…no cost to riders or taxpayers.” “ZFA is helping us add new ADA stations even faster and — best of all — at no cost to riders or taxpayers.”“Zoning for Accessibility creates wins across the board: better access for riders, smarter use of public dollars, and a straightforward path for developers to increase housing,” said MTA Construction and Development President Jamie Torres-Springer. “The 50 St project will close a major accessibility gap on the line and improve circulation at a busy Midtown station—all at no cost to taxpayers.” “…Zoning for Accessibility is transforming…”“Zoning for Accessibility is transforming how we deliver accessibility upgrades, allowing us to make more stations accessible faster than ever before,” said MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo. “It’s a smarter, more efficient approach to building the modern, inclusive transit system New Yorkers deserve.” “Extell is pleased to partner with the MTA to deliver these much-needed accessibility improvements. This collaboration demonstrates the value of public-private partnerships to deliver meaningful infrastructure upgrades more quickly and cost-effectively,” said Eli Kopciel, Senior Vice President, Development &amp; Commercial Leasing at Extell Development Company. “We thank the Department of City Planning for advancing this project in connection with the Zoning for Accessibility program, and look forward to working with the MTA to bring these improvements to fruition, while advancing our development at 871 Seventh Avenue.”“One station at a time, Zoning for Accessibility is helping deliver transit accessibility upgrades New Yorkers need — including here at 50th Street in Manhattan,” said Sideya Sherman, Director of the Department of City Planning. “By leveraging private development to fund new elevators and a wider station entrance, this program is turning smart planning policy into lasting public benefits for riders and the city as a whole.” This public-private partnership will save the MTA and taxpayers millions of dollars and allow the Authority to deliver more accessibility projects across the system for millions of daily riders. Work is expected to begin in April 2027 with the target completion date of October 2028. This is the fifth project awarded through the Zoning for Accessibility program since the program began, and the second awarded just this month, following approval of upgrades to the Nevins St 2345 station in Brooklyn. “…the MTA is investing nearly $7.1 billion … in the 2025-2029…”As part of a long-term commitment to systemwide accessibility, the MTA is investing nearly $7.1 billion in station accessibility in the 2025-2029 Capital Program, to make 60 stations newly ADA-accessible and modernize an additional 45 subway elevators. Zoning for Accessibility creates incentives for private developers to design their buildings to incorporate future station accessibility projects or build the improvements themselves at nearby MTA stations in exchange for a zoning bonus. By helping the MTA achieve systemwide accessibility more efficiently, the program benefits all New Yorkers, particularly riders with mobility disabilities, seniors, parents of young children, and others who need accessible stations to use the system. To learn more about Zoning for Accessibility, visit https://new.mta.info/elevatetransitHow does this affect Harlem riders? The MTA accessibility upgrades at 50th Street will help Harlem residents by improving citywide transit reliability and equity, but their immediate local impact on Harlem is indirect—best felt through easier cross-town travel, better system accessibility, and broader precedent for more upgrades in Harlem stations.About Extell Development Company: Founded by Gary Barnett, Extell Development is an acclaimed real estate developer specializing in luxury residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, and mixed-use properties across New York, Utah, and other premier markets. Collaborating with world-renowned architects and designers, Extell is recognized for its visionary developments, exceptional quality, and best-in-class lifestyle amenities. Notable projects include Central Park Tower (the world’s tallest residential tower), One57, the record-breaking glass tower with condominiums above Park Hyatt’s five-star flagship hotel, One Manhattan Square, Brooklyn Point, W Hotel Times Square, InterContinental Boston, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail, and the firm’s landmark project is Deer Valley East Village, the first major public alpine ski resort development in North America in more than four decades. “For my entire career, I have fought to make New York City’s public infrastructure accessible for all New Yorkers, especially families with strollers and people with different physical abilities,” said Representative Jerry Nadler. “I am pleased with the public-private partnership that will provide critical upgrades to make the 50 St train station more accessible for strollers, wheelchairs, and all those who rely on the subway. As our city grows, it is imperative that we build and maintain infrastructure to support our diverse communities so NY-12 residents can confidently travel to work, home, and school every day using public transportation.” “I am happy to see that new elevators will be installed at 50 St Station,” said New York State Senator Liz Krueger. “Every station that is reliably ADA accessible makes life significantly easier for the many New Yorkers who rely on that stop to get to work, to do their grocery shopping, and to spend hard-earned free time with friends and family. These improvements will help disabled and older New Yorkers and families with young children in strollers to use our vital subway system. Reliable accessibility at these stops is another step toward system-wide ADA compliance for public transit, which is an essential part of keeping our city a thriving, just, and affordable place to live for all New Yorkers.” “As a commuter who uses this station on a daily basis, I am incredibly pleased to see plans for improvements at the 50th Street Station,” said Council Member Carl Wilson. “Every New Yorker deserves a transit system they can access with dignity and independence. This will make a real difference for seniors, people with disabilities, parents with strollers, and countless riders who rely on our subway system every day. Zoning for Accessibility proves that when the public and private sectors work together, we can deliver critical infrastructure improvements faster and more efficiently. I’m proud to see this investment coming to the heart of Hell’s Kitchen and grateful to the MTA and Extell for helping move us closer to a fully accessible transit system.”Latest PostsBecome a Harlem Insider!From history to today’s headlines—everything Harlem, in your inbox.By signing up, you're agreeing to receive communications from Harlem World Magazine and our Privay Policy.</div></body>

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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced accessibility upgrades are coming to the 50 St train station. Made possible by the Zoning for Accessibility program, a provision adopted by the City Council in 2021 that lets real estate developers build bigger in exchange for making improvements to nearby public transportation facilities.

MTA Announces Major Accessibility Upgrades At 50th Street 1 Train Station

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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced accessibility upgrades are coming to the 50 St train station. Made possible by the Zoning f

MTA Announces Major Accessibility Upgrades At 50th Street 1 Train Station

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