On Tuesday, three new elevators were launched at the 7th Avenue subway station in Park Slope, marking a significant leap for the local community.
According to the MTA, one elevator facilitates travel from the street to the station’s mezzanine, while another provides access to the platform.
Previously, individuals relying on wheelchairs or other mobility aids faced barriers at this bustling station, which serves the F and G lines.
MTA chair and CEO Janno Lieber expressed in a statement, “This was a long time coming. Over the years, the Park Slope community has pushed hard to make this station accessible, and we have delivered with three brand new elevators.”
Lieber highlighted the MTA’s commitment to accelerating ADA accessibility projects across all boroughs, accomplishing them faster, better, and more cost-effectively than ever before—five times faster.
The station’s enhancements include new boarding areas compliant with the federal Americans With Disabilities Act, tactile strips along platform edges, and a regraded mezzanine level hallway floor to meet ADA standards. The hall’s walls are adorned with a vibrant new mosaic.
Advocacy for accessibility in Park Slope persisted for years, with neighbors and then-council member Brad Lander arguing for elevators, considering the station’s proximity to Brooklyn Methodist Hospital and the Park Slope Center for Successful Aging.
Before the project, locals had to rely on Access-A-Ride, causing inconvenience and scheduling challenges.
MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo emphasized the transformative impact of the new elevators, closing the gap for riders with mobility challenges.
The project, funded by a grant from the Federal Transit Administration, was part of an eight-station initiative by MTA Construction and Development.
Six other stations achieved accessibility upgrades this year. The journey to accessibility faced financial hurdles in the past, with cost cited as a major obstacle.
However, the project received funding, including a “down payment” from Council Member Brad Lander’s allocation through participatory budgeting.
Current Council Member Shahana Hanif, reflecting on the years of community advocacy, stated, “As a disabled New Yorker, I know how difficult it can be to navigate our city’s subway system and how critical ADA accessibility is for our public transit network.”
She celebrated the elevator as a significant victory for the district, benefiting the elderly, families with young children, Center for Successful Aging members, and numerous hospital patients.
Source: media.zenfs.com
