A tweet from D33 City Council Member, Lincoln Restler, was the only indication Clark Street Subway station had quietly reopened at about 6:00 pm on Wednesday night. From the street, no one would know. The St. George Hotel is still enshrouded in scaffolding and mesh, the construction shed remains parked out front, and the businesses had closed for the evening.
For a time, the only people inside were MTA workers clad in orange vests and members of the Forte Construction Corp team, the contractor hired to replace the three notoriously decrepit elevators. As riders began to emerge from the depths, pedestrians on Henry Street had their curiosity piqued by the activity inside.
Esther Davis poked her head into the station, then walked through the doors. Her smile widening, she threw her arms skyward and exclaimed, “Oh my G-d, I’m so happy, it’s open again! Esther told The Eagle she lives in Crown Heights and since November has “had to walk through all kinds of weather” from Court Street to her job here in Brooklyn Heights. Friends Jamie Johnson and Kate McCormick, who have lived in Brooklyn Heights for eight and thirty-four years respectively, high-fived the construction team and took a quick ride on the elevators to experience them for themselves.
Speaking under conditions of anonymity, the team explained they installed the latest high-speed “traction” elevators with a 10,000lb weight capacity and updated communications and fire alarms. According to the Stanley Elevator company website, “ Traction elevators use a counterweight to offset the weight of the cab and occupants. With this design, the motor doesn’t have to move as much weight, making it much more energy-efficient than hydraulic systems.”
And each member was prouder than the next. They gushed the project had been “completed in record time, in just five and a half months,” citing that in the past, it would have normally taken the MTA at least a year. Supply chain issues threatened to derail the project too. Vital equipment languished on cargo ships during the boondoggle at Southern California ports. But, to get the job done, Forte employed three eight-hour shifts who worked 24 hours a day.
After such a ringing endorsement of their handiwork, this correspondent took a trip to the platform and back. The ride was indeed smooth and steady, the cars bright and clean. Best of all, there’s no bounce at the bottom, ominous creaking, or groaning, and the doors no longer threaten to crush passengers. The weary commuters in my car were all smiles behind their masks.
When I returned, Forte’s Project Manager shared Mayor Adams will be on hand to officially re-open the station sometime next week. In advance of the ceremony, MTA will remove the barriers, construction shed, and equipment. On Monday, Forte starts work on replacing the nearby Court Street elevators. That station will remain open and trains will continue to stop at Court Street.
FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF FOR 1 MILLION LOST TO COVID: As the nation reaches the tragic milestone of one million Americans who have died from COVID-19, Gov. Kathy Hochul directed flags to fly at half-staff today, Friday, May 13.
NEW PARADE TRADITION HONORS ASIAN COMMUNITY: The first annual Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Cultural and Heritage Parade in New York City will be held this Sunday, May 15, in Manhattan, Mayor Eric Adams announced yesterday.
VIKING FEST AT OWL’S HEAD: As Bay Ridge anticipates the Norwegian Day festivities on Sunday, May 15, at 1:30 p.m., there is another celebration of Nordic heritage.
If you would like to sponsor a notice, a photo, or an article about your favorite organization, or even wish a loved one Happy Birthday, send your content to Jennifer Hopewell, [email protected]
You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take.
If you want to know what someone cares about, look at what they spend money on. Our city budget is no different.
Ask anything about Brooklyn. Historical queries, urban legends, clarification on rumors — let us do the research for you! Submit your question here.
Have an opinion? Submit it as a letter to the editor using this form!
New York City’s most populous borough, Brooklyn, is home to nearly 2.6 million residents. If Brooklyn were an independent city it would be the fourth largest city in the United States. While Brooklyn has become the epitome of ‘cool and hip’ in recent years, for those that were born here, raised families here and improved communities over the years, Brooklyn has never been ‘uncool’.
The Brooklyn Daily Eagle and brooklyneagle.com cover Brooklyn 24/7 online and five days a week in print with the motto, “All Brooklyn All the Time.” With a history dating back to 1841, the Eagle is New York City’s only daily devoted exclusively to Brooklyn.
https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2022/05/05/jubilant-commuters-celebrate-quiet-re-opening-of-clark-st-subway/
The Brooklyn Daily Eagle and brooklyneagle.com cover Brooklyn 24/7 online and five days a week in print with the motto, “All Brooklyn All the Time.” With a history dating back to 1841, the Eagle is New York City’s only daily devoted exclusively to Brooklyn.
DAILY TOP BROOKLYN NEWS News for those who live, work and play in Brooklyn and beyond Leave this field empty if you're human: