Of the station renovations along the IRT Broadway Line done in the late 1990s and early 2000s my favorite just may be the 66th Street-Lincoln Center station, one of the Original 28 stations opened by Interborough Rapid Transit in 1904. Lincoln Center is NYC’s premier performance space, with the Metropolitan Opera, David Geffen (Avery Fisher) and Alice Tully Halls, the Juilliard, Vivian Beaumont and Walter Reade Theaters, among many other venues. The “travertine acropolis of music and theater” as the AIA Guide to New York City puts it, occupies three blocks between West 62nd and 65th Streets and Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues. It was begun with a turn of a spade by President Eisenhower on May 14, 1959 and cost $165 million: over $1 billion in today’s money, almost all of it in private contributions.
When subway engineers ran the line up Broadway to what became the Lincoln Square neighborhood in 1904, it was inconceivable that there would be a grand entertainment mecca this far north. Block after block of tenements lined the streets, which could be mean ones by the time “West Side Story,” set in the neighborhood, was written. NYC’s “power broker” Robert Moses was to raze a total of 18 square blocks to create Lincoln Center and public housing at the site, displacing 7,000 low-income apartments and replacing them with only 4400, according to Robert A. Caro’s book that gave Moses his title.
A complete overhaul in the early 1990s gave 66th Street completely new signage and wall decoration. Designers cleverly matched the typefonts and plaque design to original Grueby Faience specs. You’d be forgiven for thinking it’s the original signage, but the LC — for Lincoln Center (also spelled out on the station ID tablets) give it away.
An amphora (two-handled jug used in ancient Greece and Rome) is seen in the frieze, matching the ones at the Astor Place and 50th Street stations, which share overall design elements with 66th Street.
The shimmery, golden station mosaics are Nancy Speros’ Artemis, Acrobats, Divas and Dancers. These were placed here after the main renovations, in 2001.
66th Street, along with the old basement Flatbush Avenue LIRR terminal, share the distinction as the locales where I was stopped by the NYPD from taking photographs and forced to delete the photos from the camera. With my shabby appearance and shuffling gait, I can give off terrorist vibes.
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4/13/23
17 comments
I’m a supporter of cops; however, most are pathetically ignorant of various city statutes and rules. This doesn’t excuse them from behaving like thick-skulled
leatherheads at times. Per the NYC Transit Rules of Conduct, Section 1050.9 (c):
“Photography, filming or video recording in any facility or conveyance is permitted except that ancillary equipment such as lights, reflectors or tripods may not be used. Members of the press holding valid identification issued by the New York City Police Department are hereby authorized to use necessary ancillary equipment. All photographic activity must be conducted in accordance with the provisions of this Part.”
This statute has been in effect since February 27, 2003.
https://new.mta.info/document/36821
My incidents may have occurred before 2003.
You struck a nerve with me on this one. I can go on, and on about many rules unrelated to the NYCTS. Ignorance, or just plain ignoring existing rules regarding loud motorcycles/ motor vehicles, and loud music are the big ones for me. There is absolutely NO excuse for this.
What was the legality of the cops forcing you to delete the imagery?
That upsode-down “S” on the 66th St signage has bothered me for 30 years. With any serif type such as that when the upper and lower loops of the “S” are not the same size, the larger/heavier loop should be at bottom. This sign has the smaller loop at bottom and it looks awkward, especially with the serif balancing the entire “S” like a heavyset ballerina on her tip-toes. Whoever laid that “S” on the wall should’ve known better and installed it the other way around. And now I feel better getting that off my chest.
That “S” looks horrendous. The “inverted” “8” is another that I more than dislike.
I feel that this page could’ve included information on the long hallway connecting the station to Lincoln Center.
That long progression through the pedestrian way is a
way to prepare you in either direction — from the controlled
acoustic of the Met Opera, Geffen Hall, etc., to the
incredible assault of an express powering through
between 72nd and 42nd. And the other way, from that
din to relative calm. The posters mark the transition. It’s been
part of my NYC since 1968.
Kevin: You’ve previously mentioned that your gait has changed & now you mentioned that you “shuffle”. As I previously advised you, please consider a visit with a neurologist because your condition could be affecting your balance Here’s some information that might help you to find diagnostic help & treatment:
https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/this-quiet-disease-which-affects-10-million-americans-is-anything/
My wife was properly diagnosed about ten years ago; the treatment is the administration of several common prescription medications which are available at chain pharmacies. I wish you good luck.
I exaggerate for effect. I can walk upright perfectly. For 10 minutes.
OOPS! Left out a sentence. Full version is here. Please delete previous posting. Thank you.
The 66th Street Station rebuild as illustrated in this FNY piece replaced an earlier rebuild done in 1959, when its platforms were lengthened from five to ten cars to permit full length trains on the IRT #1 Line. Extensions, Five local stations – 50th, 59th, 66th, 79th, and 86th Streets -were part of this project, known as the IRT West Side Improvement and debuted in February 1959. The newer platform segments were done in a rather institutional style I refer to as “locker room,” with tan borders with the station name and lighter tiles above and below the name. The 79th and 86th Street Stations today still have platform walls that retain the 1959 style.
Below is a link to a photo at 79th Street that illustrates this style, from http://www.nycsubway.org:
https://www.nycsubway.org/perl/show?116020
Kevin, Joe and Walter – For your consideration, remember that back around 2003 there were serious terror threats against the subway. I suppose some were credible and maybe some were not, but the Police and MTA had to make some tough calls. At least one of the threats led to arrests and convictions.
The statute in question was first instituted by the NYCT Public Affairs office on September 1, 2000. The statute was verified as still in effect as above on
February 27, 2003.
The problem is that more than a few cops use a heavy-handed approach, then get flustered and become belligerent when somebody can quote the statute of which
most cops are unfamiliar with in the first place, Ever see a cop in traffic court recite a string of statutes to the judge, which he barely understands, to add credibility and
justify as to why you were issued a speeding ticket? He goes into an Edgar Kennedy-like slow burn if you can point out a legitimate reason, based on the statutes, to the judge and the ticket is dismissed? The look one gets when exiting the courtroom is priceless.
Your shabby appearance a shuffling gait is as good as Columbo’s. Both of you classic characters.
The number 1 station ar 79th street, original as it may also be, has never had an extensive reservation,
66th street was my High School station many many years ago. There was another high school directly across the street from ours we had issues with in the past. By the time I was in attendance, our school was let out 15 minutes earlier and we were instructed to use an entrance that we reached by meandering through a parking garage.
My high school bus/subway pass was what helped me visit every existing subway station at the time. Although no longer in NY, I still return to visit the new ones. (Luckily, those are few and far between.)