A sneak peek inside the MTA's palatial $1.4B Fulton Center

[realizm]

 

Standing at Fulton St. and Broadway one recent morning, a gentleman tilted his head back and looked up at the bright blue sky above him in lower Manhattan.

“So what?” you might ask.

Well, he was standing in a subway station one floor below street level.

And it was air-conditioned.

This isn’t the dungeon-like experience that usually follows a MetroCard swipe.

The Fulton Center — the MTA’s $1.4 billion transit hall that initially will provide a new means of access to nine subway lines — is not yet open.

 

Read more: Source

[Orion VII 4 Life]

The side door along Fulton has been open almost every day now, so you can see right inside. Still plenty of work to be done but it's coming along.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

$1.4 billion dollars for ONE station?? Ridiculous.  They could probably rehab SEVERAL subway stations for that amount.  Waste of money.  And this is a "scaled" back version of the original project...   What's worse is a $1.4 million dollar station that will be FILTHY in no time due to a lack of cleaners and homeless folks setting up shop.

[BronxBombers]

I am still trying to figure out what is the point of the Fulton Center.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

I am still trying to figure out what is the point of the Fulton Center.

As far as I'm concerned it's nothing more than an overpriced project that's supposed to help redevelop Downtown, as if Downtown needs the help of the . I get that it will connect more trains and make it more convenient, but there is no need to spend 1.4 BILLION dollars to do that.  They've done a ton to get this project off of the ground, with businesses in the area having to move elsewhere.  I don't see how that revitalizes the area when you're basically kicking out small businesses that are providing jobs and helping to help the area flourish.  If they had the money to burn then fine, but to spend $1.4 BILLION when there are plenty of stations in need of a rehab in addition to them CONSTANTLY complaining about not being funded by Albany   shows just how out of touch the is.  They expect passengers to do more with less and keep raising the fares, but they've got $1.4 billion to waste on one station. 

 

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/give-riders-due-article-1.1172378

[Orion VII 4 Life]

We NEED to improve the transit situation down here, from the subway to PATH and the express buses clogging the streets. Hundreds of thousands if not millions of people come here every day. The subway and PATH stations will not last long into the future without improvement, and the MTA and Port Authority are giving the area what it needs. Fulton Center is not only gonna give us a better and redeveloped train station, it's gonna be a place people will go to for shopping and other things (like the WTC hub).

 

The next thing that needs to be worked on are the express buses crowding the streets. I don't think a PABT-like thing would be practical here now, but maybe diverting more buses onto the West Side Highway and not allowing the private buses from NJ to park all day on Trinity Place would be a good start.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

We NEED to improve the transit situation down here, from the subway to PATH and the express buses clogging the streets. Hundreds of thousands if not millions of people come here every day. The subway and PATH stations will not last long into the future without improvement, and the MTA and Port Authority are giving the area what it needs. Fulton Center is not only gonna give us a better and redeveloped train station, it's gonna be a place people will go to for shopping and other things (like the WTC hub).

 

The next thing that needs to be worked on are the express buses crowding the streets. I don't think a PABT-like thing would be practical here now, but maybe diverting more buses onto the West Side Highway and not allowing the private buses from NJ to park all day on Trinity Place would be a good start.

Nobody is arguing that, but the improvements don't have to cost  $1.4 billion dollars for one station.  They should've been able to rehab several stations in that area for that price.  $1.4 billion for that station and meanwhile Chambers street on the line looks like a third world country.  All this does is make connections easier, but that doesn't deal with anything pertaining to overcrowding in the area.  It's not like this one station is bringing in any new subway lines. 

[BronxBombers]

We NEED to improve the transit situation down here, from the subway to PATH and the express buses clogging the streets. Hundreds of thousands if not millions of people come here every day. The subway and PATH stations will not last long into the future without improvement, and the MTA and Port Authority are giving the area what it needs. Fulton Center is not only gonna give us a better and redeveloped train station, it's gonna be a place people will go to for shopping and other things (like the WTC hub).

 

The next thing that needs to be worked on are the express buses crowding the streets. I don't think a PABT-like thing would be practical here now, but maybe diverting more buses onto the West Side Highway and not allowing the private buses from NJ to park all day on Trinity Place would be a good start.

 

I get that, but building an ENTIRE building just for connecting trains? All they need to do was rehab the Fulton Street station. Even the passageway is a waste of money.

[Via Garibaldi 8]

I get that, but building an ENTIRE building just for connecting trains? All they need to do was rehab the Fulton Street station. Even the passageway is a waste of money.

Yeah $200 million for a passageway that they shut down to avoid having the homeless people congregate, so what good is spending all of that money if people can't even use the passageway?  Ridiculous. 

[Fresh Pond]

I get that, but building an ENTIRE building just for connecting trains? All they need to do was rehab the Fulton Street station. Even the passageway is a waste of money.

You do realize almost every station in that complex is receiving an overhaul in one way or another, be it platform work, elevator installation, exit improvements, or a combination of the 3.

 

The new passageway cinnecting everything is light years better than the multiple steep ramps one had to use before the rehab.

[Orion VII 4 Life]

I get that, but building an ENTIRE building just for connecting trains? All they need to do was rehab the Fulton Street station. Even the passageway is a waste of money.

The building is more than "connecting trains". There's shopping and dining too just like in the WTC, Penn, GCT and so on, and more retail is always good down here especially if it will draw in tourists and people on their way home (again just like the new WTC hub).

[Via Garibaldi 8]

You do realize almost every station in that complex is receiving an overhaul in one way or another, be it platform work, elevator installation, exit improvements, or a combination of the 3.

 

The new passageway cinnecting everything is light years better than the multiple steep ramps one had to use before the rehab.

So what?  All of that could be done without costing $1.4 billion.  What does that dome that they're putting on there have to do with "connectivity" improvements? That's completely unnecessary, as if the "curving" stairwells.  Do the upgrades but not at that price point when other stations are literally crumbling.

[BronxBombers]

You do realize almost every station in that complex is receiving an overhaul in one way or another, be it platform work, elevator installation, exit improvements, or a combination of the 3.

 

The new passageway cinnecting everything is light years better than the multiple steep ramps one had to use before the rehab.

 

I get overhauling the Fulton Street, don't get me wrong. But the Fulton Center building itself is a waste and so are portions of the Dey Street Passageway.

 

The building is more than "connecting trains". There's shopping and dining too just like in the WTC, Penn, GCT and so on, and more retail is always good down here especially if it will draw in tourists and people on their way home (again just like the new WTC hub).

 

But WTC will have shopping mall and dining too just one block away. Again the building itself is pointless.

[Lance]

You have to remember when this project was originally proposed. It came about around the same time reconstruction of PATH's WTC station and the ideas for rebuilding South Ferry. It came from that "we have to rebuild" post-Sept. 11th mentality. That's where the original funds came from. And no, it could not have been used for anything else. Yes, the project, as usual, came in over budget with the FTA not covering cost overruns, but if the MTA gets the retail they need to cover the expense, it should even itself out, unlike that other mega-project down the street.

 

Also on the subject of the expenses, a lot of it comes from making all of the connected stations, including Cortlandt St as well as the Dey Street Passageway, ADA accessible. That does not come cheap, especially when it comes to such a complex, well, complex. Then there is securing the historic Corbin Building.

[Wallyhorse]

You have to remember when this project was originally proposed. It came about around the same time reconstruction of PATH's WTC station and the ideas for rebuilding South Ferry. It came from that "we have to rebuild" post-Sept. 11th mentality. That's where the original funds came from. And no, it could not have been used for anything else. Yes, the project, as usual, came in over budget with the FTA not covering cost overruns, but if the MTA gets the retail they need to cover the expense, it should even itself out, unlike that other mega-project down the street.

 

Also on the subject of the expenses, a lot of it comes from making all of the connected stations, including Cortlandt St as well as the Dey Street Passageway, ADA accessible. That does not come cheap, especially when it comes to such a complex, well, complex. Then there is securing the historic Corbin Building.

Exactly!!

 

There is a TON of stuff we don't see or necessarily realize is important (including the ADA stuff) that adds to the cost but makes it easier long-term for everyone.

 

And yes, a lot of that came from the mentality in the immediate period after 9/11.

 

Only thing I would have done differently would have been to have sold air rights for a 45-50 story residential tower above the FTC that the could collect on for years after.

[Tokkemon]

So what?  All of that could be done without costing $1.4 billion.  What does that dome that they're putting on there have to do with "connectivity" improvements? That's completely unnecessary, as if the "curving" stairwells.  Do the upgrades but not at that price point when other stations are literally crumbling.

 

Well when you're in charge you can build something far less expensive and pocket the difference.

[MTA Dude]

I get overhauling the Fulton Street, don't get me wrong. But the Fulton Center building itself is a waste and so are portions of the Dey Street Passageway.

 

The and trains are suffering from VERY heavy delays from Fulton Street. People crowd on a single section of the platform, then take forever to come in, while the other sections have to suffer, waiting 10 seconds for doors to close even when doors aren't blocked. The Dey Street Passageway provides an entrance to distribute passengers on the platform evenly, and the building will also build opportunities for the WTC and Cortlandt and later the .

 

But WTC will have shopping mall and dining too just one block away. Again the building itself is pointless.

 

It is so that people can sense outdoor and fresh air, while they don't even have to walk on crowded streets dealing with pollution and traffic. They get off, go shopping without the stress of dealing with dump people, then go back on the subways to go home.

[Quill Depot]

At that price there's many better things you can do. I don't possibly see how a single station can cost that much. Better service comes at a cost, and that comes out of all our pockets. Talk about overspending… not like were already in enough debt. Tax money going to waste.

The and trains are suffering from VERY heavy delays from Fulton Street. People crowd on a single section of the platform, then take forever to come in, while the other sections have to suffer, waiting 10 seconds for doors to close even when doors aren't blocked. The Dey Street Passageway provides an entrance to distribute passengers on the platform evenly, and the building will also build opportunities for the WTC and Cortlandt and later the .

 

 

It is so that people can sense outdoor and fresh air, while they don't even have to walk on crowded streets dealing with pollution and traffic. They get off, go shopping without the stress of dealing with dump people, then go back on the subways to go home.

Fresh air, really. Who gives a f**k, they don't need an entire building for this shit. Anyway I thought this station was already renovated a few years ago.

Exactly!!

 

There is a TON of stuff we don't see or necessarily realize is important (including the ADA stuff) that adds to the cost but makes it easier long-term for everyone.

 

And yes, a lot of that came from the mentality in the immediate period after 9/11.

 

Only thing I would have done differently would have been to have sold air rights for a 45-50 story residential tower above the FTC that the could collect on for years after.

Easier for everyone?! Easier for 1% of people who half the cost is dished to.

[paulrivera]

On the bright side... the train will be extended to Broad Street weekends "soon"...

[Roadcruiser1]

As far as I'm concerned it's nothing more than an overpriced project that's supposed to help redevelop Downtown, as if Downtown needs the help of the . I get that it will connect more trains and make it more convenient, but there is no need to spend 1.4 BILLION dollars to do that.  They've done a ton to get this project off of the ground, with businesses in the area having to move elsewhere.  I don't see how that revitalizes the area when you're basically kicking out small businesses that are providing jobs and helping to help the area flourish.  If they had the money to burn then fine, but to spend $1.4 BILLION when there are plenty of stations in need of a rehab in addition to them CONSTANTLY complaining about not being funded by Albany   shows just how out of touch the is.  They expect passengers to do more with less and keep raising the fares, but they've got $1.4 billion to waste on one station. 

 

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/give-riders-due-article-1.1172378

 

The Port Authority is worse. They are spending 3.5 billion dollars building the World Trade Center Transportation Hub across the street. Complaining now will do nothing.....

[MHV9218]

$1.4 billion dollars for ONE station?? Ridiculous.  They could probably rehab SEVERAL subway stations for that amount.  Waste of money.  And this is a "scaled" back version of the original project...   What's worse is a $1.4 million dollar station that will be FILTHY in no time due to a lack of cleaners and homeless folks setting up shop.

 

You're such a bummer.

[itmaybeokay]

Honestly, I mean sure that pricetag is high, but the thing will pay for itself. The amount of foot traffic going through that station is going to make that primo real estate. The retail rents will bring in money. If the place turns serious profits, that could mean lower fare increases in the future. who knows. 

[Via Garibaldi 8]

Honestly, I mean sure that pricetag is high, but the thing will pay for itself. The amount of foot traffic going through that station is going to make that primo real estate. The retail rents will bring in money. If the place turns serious profits, that could mean lower fare increases in the future. who knows. 

LMAO.... Maybe in another life.... The is not exactly aggressive when it comes to finding and securing tenants.

Well when you're in charge you can build something far less expensive and pocket the difference.

I already do.

You're such a bummer.

You're such a bummer.=You're such a realist....

[Orion VII 4 Life]

LMAO.... Maybe in another life.... The is not exactly aggressive when it comes to finding and securing tenants.

They have an outside firm responsible for Fulton Center, Westfield. The same company that will run the mall at the WTC and that owns Garden State Plaza and other pretty big malls...

[Via Garibaldi 8]

They have an outside firm responsible for Fulton Center, Westfield. The same company that will run the mall at the WTC and that owns Garden State Plaza and other pretty big malls...

LMAO... Well we know just how well The Garden State Plaza does and that's WITH the tax free shopping...