For the first time since 1989, the New York City subway system welcomed a new stop with the 7 train’s West Side Hudson Yards station on 34th Street. Not only does the opening mark the first new station in over a quarter of a century, it’s also the first paid for by the city in over 60 years, according to the New York Times.
Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s determination to make a 7 train extension happen caused him to skip the waiting phase in funding from MTA and instead use tax increment financing, issuing bonds for the construction to be repaid by future tax revenue from developers who would see a rise in property value in the area after project completion.
Funding, apparently, isn’t so wonky of an issue that the matter didn’t overshadow the expansion’s grand opening.
Good morning, NYC: your 469th subway station is now open for business on Manhattan's west side. http://t.co/nC5tLKgH4q #7train @mta
— TransportationNation (@TransportNation) September 14, 2015
This is the weirdest opening ceremony. It's a political battle over MTA funding rather than a celebration of the new stop. #7LineExtension
— Second Ave. Sagas (@2AvSagas) September 13, 2015
Brief handshake between @BilldeBlasio and #MTA chairman. Who blamed #mayor on Friday for some funding woes #NBC4NY pic.twitter.com/GD3d9uj9NF
— Andrew Siff (@andrewsiff4NY) September 13, 2015
Alternate headline: Cuomo-de Blasio feud shadows dedication of first new subway line extension in 25+ years https://t.co/PeFvW3NXAa
— Joel Siegel (@joelmsiegel) September 13, 2015
Everyone was super pissy at the opening of the new 7 train station today. http://t.co/2pfbAnv5Ls
— Josh Barro (@jbarro) September 13, 2015
Digs even came from outside New York.
You think the @MBTA $3 bill 7 station Green Line ext is expensive? NYC just spent $2.4 bill to expand by 1 station. http://t.co/day2cDPpWC
— Sun Chron Politics (@TSCPolitics) September 14, 2015
Of course, some of the first passengers were just happy to celebrate one thing: that new-subway-station smell.
Anyone taking the NEW 7 Line extension from Times Square to Hudson Yards? @monicamoralestv says it's not just fancy, it smells good!
— MARISSA TORRES (@MsMarissaT) September 14, 2015
See below for a better look at the new station from MTA.
Marielle Mondon is an editor and freelance journalist in Philadelphia. Her work has appeared in Philadelphia City Paper, Wild Magazine, and PolicyMic. She previously reported on communities in Northern Manhattan while earning an M.S. in journalism from Columbia University.
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