Attempts to save a NYNH&H Bronx Station

[daveklepper]

When appropriate and useful, Metro North will delight preservationists.  And don't forget what they have  done for GCT!

April 05, 2022

MTA to Restore Two Historic Metro-North Stations  Original Plans Will Be Used to Work on Two Stations, Both More Than 100-Years Old

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced plans to restore the historic Hastings-on-Hudson and Tuckahoe Metro-North station buildings.  Crews will ensure the historic structures will have architectural finishes as if they were just built by using the original station blueprints (known as “as-builts”) from 1901 for Tuckahoe and 1910 for Hastings. Spanish-style terracotta tiles that adorn the station roofs will be fully removed and replaced. These tiles will be complemented with full copper gutters, downspouts, flashing, and snowguards. New three-inch tongue and groove decking will be used on the canopies just as they were when they were built more than a century ago. As a finishing touch, the buildings’ exteriors will be repainted in their existing, original colors.  “Part of the magic of Metro-North Railroad is the beautiful station buildings that it inherited when it was created in 1983,” said Metro-North President Catherine Rinaldi.“The goal of this project is to maintain that important history while providing our customers with safe, comfortable station buildings that are also beautiful places to start and end their day.”  “These station restoration projects will preserve their history and character while delivering modern infrastructure,” said MTA Construction & Development President Jamie Torres-Springer. “This innovative approach uses the original blueprints to meet today’s needs, achieving both preservation and modernization in one project.”  The restoration will conform with the U.S. Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and comply with the requirements of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.  Construction crews have mobilized at Hastings, and once complete, will proceed to Tuckahoe. First, crews will erect a sidewalk shed to isolate the work zone on the roof from the street and sidewalk below. Temporary striping and parking stalls will be installed to account for the footprint of the sidewalk shed. Next, roofers will work to remove the existing roof elements, perform any necessary rehabilitation to structural members, and lastly install the new roof. The anticipated completion of Hastings is in fall 2022 and Tuckahoe in spring 2023.

 

[MidlandMike]

Amtrak also wanted to demolish all the old Bronx stations.  Good thing all their plans did not come to pass.

[daveklepper]

MN NH--Line service to Penn is in detailed planning, with new MN stations on Amtrak property as part of the planning.

[MidlandMike]

BroadwayLion

Clearly if MN does develop service here they will likely develop their owen stations. It will cost less than repairing these things.

I would guess that it would cost less for MN to maintain a modern station than an older one, but the museum will have to maintain the old station, and the cost will ultimatly fall on taxpayers and philanthropies.  So the public will ultamatly be supporting the old station either way.  In the scheme of recycling, reuse is better than repurposing.

[BroadwayLion]

MidlandMike

Why hasn't Amtrak or MetroNorth considered these old stations for rehab for the new stations for the new Bronx commuter service?  I would thin that they would want full control of any structures built over their tracks.

 

 

Metro North does not own the right of way here.

Amtrak is not going to stop at these stations. Amtrak does not do intracity service, at least not without payment and a contract so to do.

 

Tere is talk of MN using this line to access Penn Station (I will believe it when I see it!--- And since I am not coming back to the city any time soon, I doubt taht I will see it.)

Clearly if MN does develop service here they will likely develop their owen stations. It will cost less than repairing these things.

 

(ROAR)

[daveklepper]

I'm sure you are  correct in most cases, but each location is different.   

[MidlandMike]

I have a narrower view of repurposing an old rail station, only to build a second newer station.  I see more benefit in the station being rehabed for it original purpose, and the museum using their saved rehab money to build a better building.

[daveklepper]

You obviously have a narrower viewpoint of usefulness and public benefit than I have.  And you are entitled to display that opinion.

[MidlandMike]

I'm guessing Amtrak/MN didn't want the old stations because it may cost more to rehab them just to get a less than modern station.  However, the non-profits are looking to government funds to rehab the sites and will probably need continuous funds to maintain a structure for a use that has no practical reason to be located on a bridge over an electrified mailline railroad.

[daveklepper]

Because both Amtrak and Metro North have ideas on how their stations should be planned that don't fit these historic structures.  And Metro North will be happy to have the off-peak, non-rush-hour additional business these attractions will bring.

[MidlandMike]

Why hasn't Amtrak or MetroNorth considered these old stations for rehab for the new stations for the new Bronx commuter service?  I would thin that they would want full control of any structures built over their tracks.

[Flintlock76]

Interesting David.  Thanks!

[daveklepper]

From Mike:

Attempts to  save a  New York New Haven & Hartford  Bronx station:

https://www.google.com/search?q=%22In+the+Bronx%2C+a+Push%22+%22the+majestically+moldering%22&rlz=1C1CHNY_enUS933US933&biw=1600&bih=757&tbm=nws&ei=pq_1YbWXMN-vptQP-aWz-AU&ved=0ahUKEwi1guv78df1AhXfl4kEHfnSDF8Q4dUDCA0&oq=%22In+the+Bronx%2C+a+Push%22+%22the+majestically+moldering%22&gs_lcp=Cgxnd3Mtd2l6LW5ld3MQDDoICCEQFhAdEB46BQghEKsCOgUIIRCgAToHCCEQChCgAVD7K1i_nQJg27UCaAJwAHgAgAGGAYgBiBmSAQUyMS4xM5gBAKABAcABAQ&sclient=gws-wiz-news