Two construction projects on Hunter College’s campus aim to make 68th Street more accessible to everyone but are currently blocking foot traffic, creating chaos for students and faculty who commute from all over the tri-state area. Hunter College may be the “crown jewel” of the City University of New York system, but from the outside, it is lacking.
Hunter College’s website gives an insight into one of the two projects: construction of the West Plaza. Phase four of construction started in November of last year. It aims to create a brand-new look for the west entrance and the public plaza. According to the website, “The design will include tree planters, railings and new sidewalks stretching from the art gallery on 68th Street, down Lexington Avenue and 67th Street”.
The second project will be adding three new elevators for accessibility at the 68th Street -Hunter College subway station of the Metropolitan Transit Authority. According to the MTA website and their official proposal, the 68th Street station is part of the numerous stations that are becoming ADA compliant. Part of their plan, besides accessibility, will also help with pedestrian circulation and lessen congestion. They will also be reconstructing and relocating to three existing subway station entrances. One of the elevators will replace the stair entrances on the NE of Lexington Avenue and 68th Street. Behind the new elevator will be a new staircase. Although this construction is taking place underground, several blocks and corners are obstructed by equipment and blockades.
With the ongoing construction, one of the many concerns is the noise. The constant sounds of construction going non-stop might not be helpful for students trying to study and can distract them from paying attention in class. “I find it hard to understand the lessons when they are repairing outside while they’re also adding noise to the street traffic,” says Brianna Rivas, a full-time student at Hunter College.
The 68th Street station’s renovations make it more difficult for students trying to get in and out of the Upper East Side or Hunter. The closure of the West Plaza subway station entrance, blockage of parts of the West Building entrance, construction on Lexington Avenue, and the corners of 68th and 69th have resulted in further congestion for students during rush hour and adds more time to their commute.
Another concern is space. Hunter College is known for limited sitting areas for students. Irene Kandia, a theater major, said that while it does not affect her commute, she cannot help but acknowledge the loud and distracting noise from the construction. “I do miss having that area in front of the West Building open, with the benches and all; it low-key has the illusion of an actual campus you know,” says Kandia. Madison, an English major at Hunter College, agrees as well. “I feel like it takes away from the beauty of the area; Hunter is a nice building but with the construction, it does make the area not look very nice,” says Lluberes.
Construction for the 68th station has received pushback from Upper East Side residents for more than a decade. But is scheduled to be completed by 2024, according to Patch.com. The duration of the projects have troubled students like Brenda Quattrini, a music major. “For being New York City they should be able to finish quickly and avoid making life even harder for students and staff”, says Quattrini.
