Improve of 1907 Midwood subway now 21st century

Heading north on Avenue H on Line Q, the station building was built in the 1890s as a real estate office. Wikimedia photo by Harrison Leong

The Avenue H station in Midwood on Line Q – one of the most unusual subway stations in Brooklyn and a New York City landmark – has now reopened as a fully accessible station, the MTA said at a press conference on Thursday.

Customers can now access the northern (Manhattan-bound) platform via a new ramp leading to a new turnstile area for access to the platform. In addition, a new underpass was created for a barrier-free path that leads to the previously existing ramp to the platform in the south, in order to improve the flow of customers and the station area.

The wooden station building that serves the northern platform resembles a rural station from yesteryear. It wasn’t even a transit station originally – it was built as a real estate office in 1896 to serve homebuyers for Fiske Terrace, then a newly built parish on former woodland. When Brooklyn Rapid Transit (now part of the transit system) built the Avenue H station in 1907, they appropriated the building for transit.

The accessibility project, which was part of the 2020-24 Capital Plan, cost $ 12.2 million, with incentives to complete largely to be on time and on budget.

This project, the first ADA project to be completed as part of the 2020-2024 Capital Plan, was one of many that we were able to move forward despite COVID – so we were able to keep our commitment to accessibility“, Said Janno Lieber, President of MTA Construction & Development.

Quemuel Arroyo, MTA’s Chief Accessibility Officer, at Avenue H station on the Brighton Q Line, announced the completion of an ADA ramp to the north platform on Thursday, July 15, 2021.
Victor Calise, Debra Greif, Christopher Greif, Simcha Felder. Photo: Marc A. Hermann / MTA

“Avenue H Station is a perfect example of how ramps and well-designed infrastructure can create an accessible environment for all,” said Quemuel Arroyo, MTA’s chief accessibility officer. “Our Brooklyn customers have the inclusive train station they deserve as we continue to build a fairer transportation system.”

“I’ve always encouraged the MTA to consider where to use ramps to improve accessibility,” said Victor Calise, board member and mayor’s commissioner for people with disabilities. “I am excited to see these upgrades on the line at Avenue H station and look forward to continuing to work with the MTA on system-wide accessibility for all New Yorkers and visitors with disabilities.”

The other project components of the Avenue H station include:

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  • Sidewalk / road construction work to connect the east and west stations via an underpass
  • Redesign (green space) on the east side next to the ramp and next to the platform walls on the west side
  • New lighting in the new turnstile area, ramp and existing stairwells
  • Five new cameras in the new turnstile area, which are connected to the existing CCTV system
  • Fire alarm upgrade and flashlight, smoke / heat alarm and sabotage switch integrated in the existing fire alarm system
  • Replacement of the main water line on the west side and the main gas line on the east and west side as well as underpass for new ADA-compliant ramp
  • Two new speakers that are integrated into the existing PA system

The new barrier-free ramp at the Avenue H stop towards the north of the Q. Marc A. Hermann / MTA line

Congressman Yvette D. Clarke said, “For far too long, many New Yorkers have been forced to travel exclusively by buses and taxis because they have no access to our subways. This has resulted in a lot of missed doctor appointments, lost wages and time with loved ones. I am so proud to see that Avenue H on the line will no longer be part of this problem. ”

In 2004, the MTA announced its intention to demolish the venerable train station building to the north, saying its wooden structure was unsafe. Local residents and preservationists protested, and the station building was declared a landmark the following year. It was reconstructed for $ 47.6 million between 2009 and 2011.

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