{"id":533,"date":"2021-08-16T15:36:10","date_gmt":"2021-08-16T19:36:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/?p=533"},"modified":"2021-08-25T06:00:52","modified_gmt":"2021-08-25T10:00:52","slug":"gramercy-adds-essential-elevator-access-to-brooklyn-subway","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/gramercy-adds-essential-elevator-access-to-brooklyn-subway\/","title":{"rendered":"Gramercy Adds Essential Elevator Access to Brooklyn Subway"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Many people are familiar with Gramercy&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/services\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">commercial demolition<\/a>, environmental remediation, asbestos and flood mitigation services, but there are many civil engineering and general contracting projects that the company takes on each year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A General Contracting and Civil Engineering Project in Brooklyn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Coordinating public transportation throughout New York City can be a challenging experience on a good day. But it can be near impossible for riders who have physical challenges. Being able to hop on and off the subway is a convenience most of us city-dwellers take for granted. For many mobility-challenged travelers however, that process often requires significant planning and many times additional travel time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Imagine having to add an extra hour onto your commute time because the subway stop you need isn\u2019t accessible to you? That problem is just what one of our recent projects took on for riders and residents in the Brooklyn area.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Earlier this year Gramercy Group proudly completed improvements to the Eastern Parkway-Brooklyn Museum Station in Brooklyn&#8217;s Prospect Heights area.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The twenty-two-month project included improvements to the station such as:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Three new ADA compliant elevators<\/li><li>Replacing and expanding staircases at the street level<\/li><li>A new ADA boarding area at the platform<\/li><li>New tactile tiles on the platform edge<\/li><li>Restoration of the surrounding streets and sidewalks<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The elevators give wheelchair access to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.brooklynmuseum.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Brooklyn Museum<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbg.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Brooklyn Botanic Garden<\/a> and access to the Brooklyn- and Manhattan-bound subway platforms.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Civil engineering projects such as this one require significant coordination and planning and often have unforeseen obstacles to navigate. The unique circumstances of this project were no exception. Scott Krokoff, Gramercy Project Manager, and Joseph Castaldo, Vice President, Operations, shared vital takeaways that Gramercy Group will bring into future projects.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"699\" src=\"https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/A-37120-Render-of-Elev-755-Streek-Kiosk.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-536\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/A-37120-Render-of-Elev-755-Streek-Kiosk.jpg 960w, https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/A-37120-Render-of-Elev-755-Streek-Kiosk-300x218.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/A-37120-Render-of-Elev-755-Streek-Kiosk-768x559.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/A-37120-Render-of-Elev-755-Streek-Kiosk-69x50.jpg 69w, https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/A-37120-Render-of-Elev-755-Streek-Kiosk-650x473.jpg 650w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><figcaption>Artist rendering during planning stages of the MTA Brooklyn Museum Station Elevator Installation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"705\" src=\"https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Eastern-Parkway-_-Final-Site-Photos-01-1024x705.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-537\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Eastern-Parkway-_-Final-Site-Photos-01-1024x705.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Eastern-Parkway-_-Final-Site-Photos-01-300x207.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Eastern-Parkway-_-Final-Site-Photos-01-768x529.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Eastern-Parkway-_-Final-Site-Photos-01-1536x1057.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Eastern-Parkway-_-Final-Site-Photos-01-2048x1410.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Eastern-Parkway-_-Final-Site-Photos-01-73x50.jpg 73w, https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Eastern-Parkway-_-Final-Site-Photos-01-650x447.jpg 650w, https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Eastern-Parkway-_-Final-Site-Photos-01-1000x688.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>The finished project from the same angle as the previous rendering.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Overcoming Challenges &nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Existing and New Obstacles&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many visitors and residents move through this high-profile area daily, which makes construction challenging. In addition, Gramercy Group had to plan construction around various 2019 events like the Brooklyn Botanic Garden Sakura Matsuri Festival, The Popular\u00ae Brooklyn Half, and the West Indian Day Parade because of the project&#8217;s high-profile location.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The project continued throughout the global pandemic in 2020, which created unforeseen and unique challenges. COVID19 required Gramercy\u2019s leadership team to plan and work around various protocols. The ever-changing environment required quick and careful decision-making. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>COVID19 also caused material delays that forced the team to pivot from their planned schedule and work on what they could instead. One benefit from COVID19, however, was the closure of the Brooklyn Museum and other popular destinations. The closures lessened traffic and subway ridership through the area, which enabled the team to work with fewer interruptions.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Existing Limitations<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The existing structure of the station was too small to accommodate the new elevators. Consequently, the team had to build supporting excavation, expand the roadway, and build an extension onto the station. Unfortunately, one of the extensions was in the middle of the Eastern Parkway, a major road that runs through part of Brooklyn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The parkway was shut down for six weeks, but Gramercy leadership was forced to come up with a solution to work in the area for the remainder of the project. The solution was to build a temporary plated structure that allowed cars to pass over and the team to work under it. Here,&nbsp; the crew was able to continue excavation, construction and add a new concrete structure for the elevators.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/A-37120-Render-of-Elev-755-Plenum-at-S5-M5.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-539\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/A-37120-Render-of-Elev-755-Plenum-at-S5-M5.jpg 960w, https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/A-37120-Render-of-Elev-755-Plenum-at-S5-M5-300x213.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/A-37120-Render-of-Elev-755-Plenum-at-S5-M5-768x545.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/A-37120-Render-of-Elev-755-Plenum-at-S5-M5-70x50.jpg 70w, https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/A-37120-Render-of-Elev-755-Plenum-at-S5-M5-650x461.jpg 650w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><figcaption>Artist rendering of Eastern Parkway subway elevator.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"695\" src=\"https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Eastern-Parkway-_-Final-Site-Photos-02-1024x695.jpg\" alt=\"Brooklyn ADA Compliant Elevator Installation\" class=\"wp-image-534\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Eastern-Parkway-_-Final-Site-Photos-02-1024x695.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Eastern-Parkway-_-Final-Site-Photos-02-300x204.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Eastern-Parkway-_-Final-Site-Photos-02-768x521.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Eastern-Parkway-_-Final-Site-Photos-02-1536x1043.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Eastern-Parkway-_-Final-Site-Photos-02-2048x1390.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Eastern-Parkway-_-Final-Site-Photos-02-74x50.jpg 74w, https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Eastern-Parkway-_-Final-Site-Photos-02-650x441.jpg 650w, https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Eastern-Parkway-_-Final-Site-Photos-02-1000x679.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>And here is how this same location looks today in real life post-construction. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Project Successes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Communication&nbsp;<br><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Communication was a necessary component of completing the station improvements. Krokoff said his biggest takeaway from the project \u2013 his first as project manager \u2013 was the importance of open communication. Communication with his team and subcontractors was imperative. Gramercy leadership also had to communicate and work with coordinators of the 2019 community events and members of the community board. Without effective communication and teamwork, the project may not have come together as well as it did.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Resourcefulness and Flexibility&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Staying flexible and being resourceful throughout the project was vital in helping the team succeed. One major delay was getting the glass for the elevators, which took months longer than originally scheduled. Consequently, the team had to rearrange their schedules to work around material availability. The team persevered despite the many challenges and frequent changes that arose.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Staying within Project Parameters&nbsp;<br><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Deadlines and budgets are integral parameters of any project and are sometimes hard to stay within. Gramercy Group completed this project on time and within the $25M budget.&nbsp;&nbsp;One component Krokoff says he is most proud of about this project is that they were able to hit their targets.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Helping Others&nbsp;through Engineering and Construction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This heavy civil construction project will benefit many residents and visitors in Brooklyn. Castaldo mentioned that the most important aspect of adding ADA elevators to the station was benefiting the community. He also said <a href=\"https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/work-to-begin-on-laguardia-airports-4-billion-makeover\/\">projects like these<\/a> are one of the things he is passionate about in this industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gramercy Group is pleased to have served the community and made Brooklyn more accessible for all residents and visitors, especially those with mobility challenges. Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials, local community institutions, and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams announced the completion of the station&#8217;s new, fully accessible features at an MTA <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=eq34efXPbWc\">press conference<\/a>. Photos of the new station and the press conference can be viewed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/mtaphotos\/sets\/72157717403775352\/\">here<\/a>. &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Making the Eastern Parkway 2\/3 station improvements is another step in the right direction for the MTA. The MTA has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ny1.com\/nyc\/all-boroughs\/news\/2019\/12\/20\/mta-takes-steps-to-make-all-stations-accessible-by-2034\">pledged<\/a> to take steps to make all New York City subway stations accessible by 2034. With&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/\">Gramercy Group&#8217;s<\/a>&nbsp;experience in completing this project, another accessibility elevator project is on the horizon. Stay tuned for news on this in the coming months.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What goes up&#8230;We take down! And build up again! &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"MTA Press Conference - 12\/18\/2020\" width=\"1160\" height=\"653\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/eq34efXPbWc?start=411&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Many people are familiar with Gramercy&#8217;s commercial demolition, environmental remediation, asbestos and flood mitigation services, but there are many civil engineering and general contracting projects that the company takes on [&hellip;]<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/gramercy-adds-essential-elevator-access-to-brooklyn-subway\/\" class=\"more-link style1-button\">Read More<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":534,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[36,38,40,37,39],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/533"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=533"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/533\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/534"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=533"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=533"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gramercyusa.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=533"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}