Metro-North Unveils Latest Station Design

( August 20, 2002) The overhaul of Larchmont’s train station moved forward another stop as Metro-North unveiled the latest designs for the ticket office, overpass, and other elements of the platform. On August 20, representatives from Metro-North displayed updated architectural drawings and discussed details with most of members of the Village and Town Boards and a representative from Congresswoman Nita Lowey’s office.

Metro North's Geoffrey Dopsch discusses upcoming upgrades at Larchmont Train Station with representatives of Town and Village boards.

This Tuesday’s meeting was the latest in a series that involved collaboration between Metro-North and the local communities they serve. In March of 2002 Metro-North presented drawings considered 30% complete and received numerous suggestions and requests for further information. (See: Larchmont Online's Document Center) Of particular concern was providing local input into the project and designing the new ticket office and overpass to reflect the character of Larchmont Village.

Since then, Metro-North has continued working with the local Boards and with the Village Board of Architectural Review. The result is a move away from the current flat-roofed, metal structures towards a ticket office and overpass with peaked roofs and various brick and stone facings. Some of the details were borrowed from designs of the original Larchmont train station lost to I-95 construction. Modern improvements will include air-conditioning, a unisex bathroom, and food concession in the ticket office and elevators and heat in the overpass.

Click here for a ride back in time. James and Constance Levi provide a view of Larchmont's early stations in their compilation of old picture postcards, Larchmont, New York The Way it Was. You can see a peaked roof in the original station demolished in 1899 and the "new" one in service until I-95.

Those who have been following Village Board meetings over the years remember long-term resident Richard Murphy’s frequent pleas for an upgrading of the amenities at the station. At his urging, then-Mayor Cheryl Lewy initiated conversations with Metro-North, but there was little progress. Barbara Stein, representative at Tuesday’s meeting from Congresswoman Nita Lowey’s office, said Larchmont was beginning to feel like the ignored “step-child” of the system

Originally Metro-North had predicted it would take eight years before they could tackle the Larchmont station. Town Supervisor Valerie O’Keeffe said, “Then Nita Lowey came along with the $1 million (Federal Transportation Administration Grant) which seemed to push the project forward. I’m pleased with the rapidity at which the work has been advancing.”

Town Supervisor O'Keeffe and Councilwoman Myers approved of most design elements but not the red tile suggested for the new ticket office.

Both the speed and the scope have improved, pointed out Councilwoman Judy Myers. “Three years ago Metro-North said ‘absolutely no bathroom - too expensive, it’s a maintenance issue.’” She credited Metro-North for its responsiveness.

The station renovation is part of Metro-North’s 2002-2004 Capital Program and is slated to begin in the 4th quarter of 2002 and end by 2004. Metro-North will be putting the project out for bid in the next week or two and expects to have contractors at work before the end of the year. Commuters will have access to the old structures that will remain until the new overpass, ticket building and other shelters are complete.

Said Barbara Stein, “After so many years of talk of improving the Larchmont Station, it’s very exciting that it’s about to happen.”

Send this page to a friend

Discuss this topic in our forums, or send a letter to the editors.