A ceremonial ribbon-cutting event was held Oct. 30 at the North White Plains Metro-North Station to unveil $41.8 million in improvements to the station.
- Nearly $42 million in federal funding were spent to expand the North White Plains Metro-North parking garage. Photo courtesy MTA
The dedication showcased a more robust parking garage ”” now 186,000 square feet and five stories ”” expanded from the original 109-space lot. Also on display was new art, commissioned by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Arts & Design division, made of 125 stainless steel panels, which create a water droplet scene on a facade of the building.
The now 500-space parking garage includes electric vehicle charging spaces, dedicated areas for scooters and bicycles, three floors for permit parking and two floors of metered parking.
The changes also included converting Haarlem Avenue into a two-way street from Bond Street to the garage entrance, adding a pedestrian signal as well as a “Kiss-n-Ride” to make drop-offs and pick-ups easier and a storefront retail space facing Haarlem Avenue.
The nearly $42 million grant was provided through the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement program with the U.S. Department of Transportation.
MTA Metro-North President Joseph Giulietti, state Sen. George Latimer, state Assemblyman David Buchwald, Westchester County Legislator Benjamin Boykin and White Plains Mayor Thomas M. Roach were among the officials attending the event.
Earlier this year, $2.1 million in upgrades to the North White Plains station were completed as part of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo”™s BuildSmart NY initiative to increase energy efficiency in state-operated buildings. The changes included a new boiler and ventilation devices that are used in the train yard”™s four buildings. The funding was provided by the White Plains-based New York Power Authority, which will be reimbursed in installments by the MTA.
The North White Plains train station serves nearly 2,200 travelers during weekdays and about 1,300 on the weekend, according to the MTA.
