Metro North Dedicates New Parking Garage
This past Friday, MTA Metro-North Railroad dedicated a new parking garage at the North White Plains Station. Here is more via the official press release I received:
MTA Metro-North Railroad President Joseph Giulietti was joined today by federal, state and local officials at the ribbon-cutting for the newly completed North White Plains Parking Garage located at the southeast corner of Bond Street and Haarlem Avenue, across from the Metro-North North White Plains train station. North White Plains station is one of the busiest stations in Metro-North’s service area, serving almost 2,200 customers during the weekday and almost 1,300 riders on the weekend.
The 186,000 square foot, 500 parking space garage, which provides a net additional 391 parking spaces around the station, opened to the public on October 5. It includes three floors of permit parking (on the first, second and third floors) and two floors of metered parking (on the fourth floor and roof) including spaces on the first and second floors that are accessible to disabled customers through the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). Electric vehicle charging stations are available on the second floor and scooter parking is available on all floors except for the roof. Bicycle racks and storage are located inside the building.
“I am so proud to cut the ribbon today on a facility that will serve the needs of our commuters who must drive to their station, and also recognizes the importance of multi-modal access,” said Metro-North Railroad President Joseph Giulietti. “The fact that it was completed in a timely, cost-effective way confirms our continued commitment to our customers.”
Numerous community improvements make the area around the garage more pedestrian-friendly.
These enhancements include planted landscaping, several new crosswalks, and a new traffic and pedestrian signal at the intersection of Bond Street, Broadway and Otis Avenue. New decorative lighting includes the installation of architectural light poles around the perimeter of the garage with nine additional poles installed on Bond Street and Broadway.The City of White Plains, with the support of Metro-North, converted Haarlem Avenue to a two-way street from Bond Street to the garage entrance making it easier for our customers to use the garage from both directions.
The garage also has a storefront retail space along Haarlem Avenue that is available to provide customer compatible service. And, there’s a new “Kiss-n-Ride” area at the North White Plains Station that accommodates drop-offs, as well as a taxi queue.
Another unique feature of the North White Plains Parking Garage is the site-specific artwork commissioned by MTA Arts & Design. The selection from Situ Studio, titled Percolate, features various forms of vaporizing droplets referencing the role water has played in the history of White Plains, going back to the “heavy mist” that gave the city its name, as well as the Kensico reservoir which provides New York City with water. Percolate consists of approximately 125 stainless steel panels in ever-changing forms of water bubbles that clad the metal mesh, appearing as a natural formation on the facade of the building.
A contract was awarded in 2013, to design and build the garage, following a preliminary design. The work included demolition of an existing 109-space parking garage, an existing maintenance building, a small surface lot and several utility sheds. The Design/Build process allowed for some construction to take place during demolition and without disrupting utility service to the office building at 525 North Broadway.
The preliminary design for the project was performed by Gannett Fleming Engineers and Architects. Prismatic Development was the design builder and the URS Corporation provided construction inspection and supervision. A team of several firms including Clarke Caton Hintz, Langan Engineering, FST Engineering and Kelter & Gilligo Consulting Engineers ensured that the element and assembly designs were consistent with the preliminary vision.
The project, which was funded entirely by a $41.8 million federal Congestion Mitigation / Air Quality grant and completed under budget, accommodates the increased demand for parking at North White Plains Station as Metro-North ridership continues to grow. This investment, as well as those associated with the MTA Capital Plan, demonstrate the increased need to upgrade, expand and keep our transit system reliable for the entire region.
Metro-North Railroad was able to accomplish the work in an efficient and convenient manner with the cooperation of Westchester County, the city of White Plains, the town of North Castle, Consolidated Edison, New York State Department of Transportation and the United States Department of Transportation.
The North White Plains Parking Garage is operated by LAZ Parking. An on-site attendant is in the garage Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The base fee for daily meters is $7.25 for 16 hours. The base fee for a 12 month permit is $1,136. Free weekend and holiday parking is available in all spaces. For more information about the facility, visit: http://www.rrparking.com/parking_lots/38
US Senator Charles E. Schumer said: “I am proud to be a part of this new parking garage dedication, which will serve thousands of commuting residents in White Plains and elsewhere, who rely on Metro-North for their daily commute, weekend trips and transportation into the
NYC metropolitan area. As any commuter knows, finding safe, available parking at the North White Plains Train Station has been a struggle, and this new facility will go a long way in making the daily commute more efficient and practical for all Metro-North customers who come here every day. This shows when working with our local, state and federal stakeholders, we can make meaningful progress to enhance the commuters’ daily life right here in Westchester County.”US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said: “The new parking garage at the North White Plains train station is part of a critical upgrade of public transit for Westchester. This federal investment in our transportation infrastructure, which created almost 400 additional parking spaces, plus bicycle parking, and electric car charging stations, improves the daily experience for commuters and benefits our environment.”
US Representative Nita Lowey said: “By increasing convenience for Metro North riders, we can take some of the hassle out of the daily commute. I’m pleased that a $41.8 million federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grant fully funded the construction of this new North White Plains Station garage. Residents of the Lower Hudson Valley send their hard-earned tax dollars to Washington each day, and this return on that investment is already providing better parking options for commuters. I will continue working as Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Committee to ensure our region’s transportation needs are met.”
New York State Senator George Latimer said: “Investing in our infrastructure is a wise investment. When the services supporting our commuter rail system are improved, it bolsters the entire system. We will have more commuters using using the trains, which is good for the environment. The station will be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, which means greater access for all. Today is a good day to be a Metro-North traveler.”
New York State Assemblyman David Buchwald said: “When I was a Common Council Member in White Plains, the plans for this commuter parking garage were presented. Now, as a State Assemblyman representing nine towns in Westchester, it is great to see this new facility open for all who use the North White Plains Metro-North station. It is important that Metro-North has worked to take into account the concerns of area residents in order to get to this occasion.”
Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino said: “Metro-North is part of the lifeblood of commerce for Westchester, New York City and the region. The county was proud to support this project, which will provide an additional 500, much-in-demand parking spaces in North White Plains. Getting people out of their cars and onto mass transit is a boost for the economy and the environment.”
Westchester County Legislator Benjamin Boykin II said: “I am pleased that we have a new parking facility for the North White Plains Metro-North Railroad Station that provides increased parking for customers. The facility incorporates energy efficient technology such as electric vehicle charging stations and provides spaces for scooter parking while enhancing pedestrian safety. This new expanded facility was built due to the importance of this station to the region’s mass transit system. The beautiful water inspired art work which is incorporated into the façade of the building is specific to the history of White Plains, which was named from the Indian word “Quarropas” or white marshes or plains.”
White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach said: “We value our relationship with MTA Metro-North. With two very active stations within the City, I believe it is important that we work together for the benefit of our mutual constituents. I’m pleased to say that this was the case with the new garage, as illustrated by the pedestrian-friendly improvements to the site, which Metro-North took very seriously and worked cooperatively with us to achieve.”
xoxo Transit Blogger
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a comment