MTA Station Improvement Project Package 1

The station improvement program (formerly the Enhanced Station Initiative) is the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s $72 million modernization project to improve more than 30 subway stations throughout New York.

Arup and Grimshaw produced the original guidelines for the modernization program and the Designer of Record for the first three stations was Urbahn-HAKS JV, which applied Grimshaw’s design principles to develop standard elements for use across the system. Brooklyn Stations 53 Street, Prospect Avenue and Bay Ridge Avenue on the R line were the first to have been transformed and these constitute Package 1.

Citnalta-Forte JV was the design-build contractor responsible for delivering the stations and Billings Jackson was sub-contracted to provide industrial design services for the detailed design of elements and components including canopies, information panels, benches and waste bins ready for manufacture and fabrication. Priority has been given to robust, low-maintenance solutions that can accommodate future technology upgrades, which is typical of Billings Jackson’s approach. Refurbished stations whave Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity and charging systems, intuitive wayfinding, real-time information, LED lighting and new finishes and furniture.

Photography by Assaf Evron