The Brooklyn Nets won't play their first game in the new Barclays Center until mid-October, when the NBA preseason starts. But this Monday, the arena's new subway station will be open for New Yorkers who use the MTA to travel on a regular basis. The new station, located where Flatbush and Atlantic Avenues meet, cost a whopping $76 million to construct, is 4,700 square feet and will consist of nine subway lines.
The developer of the actual arena, Forest City Ratner Companies (FCRC), agreed to pay for the development of the station. Though it was a staggering price, it's been reported that not a cent was derived from taxpayer dollars. In actuality, the original budget was said to be $29 million but FCRC went far beyond their financial obligations. Robert Sanna, Forest City Ratner Company's head of construction, spoke on some of the details involved in the creation of the station.
"In comparison to building the subway station, the arena was a piece of cake. The hole we had to build for this station is 35 feet deep, 100 feet wide on one side and 125 feet wide on the other. Imagine a giant piece of pizza jammed into the ground. We made 138 repairs to existing tunnel members down there and all kinds of old wiring and concrete. It took us two years to do this. It was the single most complex job I have ever worked on."
MaryAnne Gilmartin, FCRC's executive vice president of development, spoke very highly of the new transit system, saying that it's a key factor in their overall plans of running the arena.
"Mass transit is the centerpiece of the entire development. We committed to infrastructure improvements as part of the real estate deal. The new entrance is the key component to making this arena work. Under no circumstances do we want anyone driving to the arena, ever."
Check out the first photos of the Barclays Center's new subway station and enjoy your travels through the new area.
source: nydailynews.com
