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Transportation & Environment
50th Street Ventilation Plant for LIRR East Side Access
WHEREAS, the MTA and the LIRR are undertaking a project known as East Side Access which would bring LIRR trains into Grand Central Terminal; and
WHEREAS, Community Board 5 is on record twice as preferring the Upper Level Loop Alternative that would make use of five existing platform tracks now used by Metro-North at Grand Central Terminal and not require a new station;
WHEREAS, the MTA and LIRR have chosen to build a deep cavern station below Park Avenue to serve these passengers; and
WHEREAS, the new station requires ventilation and storage facilities to serve it and the MTA has proposed building this facility on East 50th Street between Madison and Park Avenues; and
WHEREAS, the original design brought to Community Board 5 in 2005 created major concerns from the residents and property owners including:
- Safety concerns about having diesel fuel to power generators in case of a power failure;
- The canyon impact with exhaust due to the high rise buildings surrounding the facility.
- Disruption of the community during construction that would occur during this 6 year project; and
WHEREAS, the MTA and LIRR have addressed the community's concerns by:
- Building a smaller facility which buries underground the machinery and diesel tanks associated with the station;
- Places the station exhaust on top of one of the buildings eliminating the canyon effect;
- Creating a covered drive from 49th Street to 50th Street for construction and loading and unloading of trucks to serve the station; and
WHEREAS, the new facility fits the character of the neighborhood and includes a small park where people can eat lunch, relax and enjoy a nice day; and
WHEREAS, the MTA and LIRR have pledged to follow all city building codes; therefore be it
RESOLVED, Community Board Five commends the MTA and LIRR for altering its plans based on neighborhood concerns and expresses support for changes to the 50th Street ventilation project as it is now configured, while at the same time reaffirming its preference for the Upper Level Loop Alternative.
The above resolution passed with a vote of 23 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention.