New Elevators are the First Transit Improvement Bonus Under Zoning for Accessibility 

Initiative Incentivizes Private Developers to Incorporate Station Accessibility Projects or Build Improvements at Nearby MTA Stations with No Cost to the Public 

View Photos of Site of Future 57 St Station Elevator  

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced the first transit improvement bonus awarded under Zoning for Accessibility, which will provide street and platform elevators, among other improvements, at the 57 St  subway station. These improvements will make the station fully accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

In addition to the improvements listed below, the developer, Sedesco, will reimburse the MTA for the cost of maintaining the two new elevators. The work is expected to begin in 2022. 

• Street to mezzanine elevator near the southwest corner of 56 St and 6 Av 
• Mezzanine to platform elevator 
• Elevator machine room servicing both elevators 
• Communications equipment to support both elevators and Help Point intercoms 
• Reconfiguration of the fare control line and new Automated Farecard Access Gate to accommodate the mezzanine to platform elevator 

“This agreement is proof that the MTA’s historic Capital Plan, along with partnering with private developers, will allow the Authority to modernize the entire transit system as quickly and efficiently as possible,” said MTA Acting Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “The MTA is committed to making our transit system more accessible to all New Yorkers, especially riders with mobility disabilities, seniors, and parents of young children.” 

“Riders with disabilities, parents or caregivers with children in strollers, visitors with luggage and so many others will benefit from these new elevators and suite of station improvements, increasing access to Central Park, Carnegie Hall and this bustling area of Manhattan. Thanks to Zoning for Accessibility, these improvements will be made on a faster timeline, and at no cost to the MTA and the taxpayer,” said MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo. “This is a great example of the MTA finding new and innovative ways to increase accessibility, and we look forward to seeing more projects throughout the city come to fruition through this program.”  

“These improvements are a historic milestone in our efforts to improve the transit system for all riders through faster and cheaper capital work,” said President of MTA Construction & Development Jamie Torres-Springer. “Zoning for Accessibility shows what the MTA can accomplish as we use every tool available to accelerate projects - in this case partnerships with the City of New York and developers to include station improvements in their investments. We look forward to many more improvements through this innovative program in the future.” 

“Sedesco is pleased to partner with the MTA to help upgrade the 57th Street subway station and ensure it is accessible to all New Yorkers,” said General Counsel of Sedesco Derek Gilchrist. “It is a significant step toward enhancing the station while benefitting our development at 41-47 West 57th Street.” 

"Zoning for Accessibility was just passed, and riders with disabilities and the MTA as a whole are already reaping the benefits," said Commissioner of the NYC Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities and MTA Board Member Victor Calise. "We are excited to see this accessibility commitment and we're looking forward to more in the future." 

"I’m thrilled that ADA improvements under Zoning for Accessibility are underway at the 57 St  station in my district,” said Councilmember Keith Powers. “As we envision New York’s future, it’s imperative that our transit system is equitable, modernized, and accessible for all. I’m very proud to have supported this program from the start and look forward to seeing the improvements."  

“Zoning for Accessibility is already paying dividends for New Yorkers,” said Department of City Planning Director Anita Laremont. “These new elevators and other station improvements at 57 St will make this area that much more accessible to all our residents, visitors, and workers. DCP is thrilled to see this project advance and is looking forward to many more transit improvements in the years to come.” 

About Zoning for Accessibility 

Developing Zoning for Accessibility was a collaboration between the MTA, City Council, the Department of City Planning (DCP) and the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) to boost New York City’s push to make its transit system fully accessible. The initiative allows the MTA to leverage planned private development to achieve a fully accessible transit system faster, while saving taxpayer dollars. 

Zoning for Accessibility incentivizes private developers to design their buildings to incorporate public station accessibility projects or build the improvements at nearby train and subway stations. It creates a new set of tools – and strengthens existing ones – that build off the Authority commitment of over $5 billion of funding for 77 accessible subway, Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad and Staten Island Railway station projects within New York City in the 2020-2024 MTA Capital Plan. 

To learn more about Zoning for Accessibility, visit https://new.mta.info/elevatetransit.