Renovations Complete At Two Train Stations

Pictured here: Senator Hannon (fourth from right), Acting MTA LIRR President Raymond P. Kenny (sixth from left) are joined by Assemblyman Thomas McKevitt, Garden City Village Mayor Gerald Lundquist, distinguished Garden City Village residents and LIRR officials at the newly refurbished Garden City Station for a ribbon cutting ceremony. Senator Kemp Hannon (Sixth Senate District) was joined by Metropolitan Transit Authority/ Long Island Rail Road Acting President Raymond P. Kenny, as well as invited guests at a ribbon cutting ceremony for two newly renovated Long Island Rail Road Stations in Garden City.

In 2004, Senator Kemp Hannon was able to secure funding in excess of more than $2.8 million in Metropolitan Transportation Authority's 2000-2004 Capital Plans fund to rehabilitate the Long Island Rail Road stations. Funds were allocated equally for the refurbishment of the stations.

" Commuters deserve a comfortable, well-lit andsecure facility at which to wait for the train," said Senator Hannon. "The Long Island Rail Road has done a remarkable job with the restorations. Our combined efforts have been able to restore historical beauty to each of the stations, which will serve the communty for years to come."

MTA/LIRR Acting President Kenny said, "I would like to thank Senator Hannon for working with the Railroad and securing the funding for these much-needed improvements at the LIRR's Nassau Boulevard and Garden City station buildings. These completely renovated station structures provide our customers with all the modern amenities they deserve while, at the same time, maintaining the character of the station building."

The Long Island Rail Road aimed to include or duplicate the magnificent, original architectural details of each structure. Working closely with Garden City Village Historian John Kordes when planning the restorations, the LIRR 's in-house workforce began the restoration projects in August 2004 and completed both efforts this past spring.

The oak beams, which can be seen lining the Nassau Boulevard station's ceiling, mimic its original woodwork. Orange peel paint was used on the walls to create a textured, aged look, and hand-cut tile was used to create a banner spelling out the station's name in the new floor.

The addition of a cupola, with a copper weathervane tops the station, was donated by the Estates Property Owners Association.

The original Garden City Station was the flagship station of the Central Rail Road Line, which was later purchased by the LIRR. While the current Garden City station is not the original station, it has served the community for more than 100 years. The most noteworthy renovation of the station is the display banner in its floor, which now displays the station name in hand-cut tile.

Two feet east of the station, a bust of 19th century businessman A.J. Stewart sits atop a column from the original Pennsylvania Station in Manhattan, marking the location of the original station.

The rehabilitation of the buildings at each station builds upon earlier improvements funded by Senator Hannon. With Sen. Hannon's help, the stations have new concrete curbs, sidewalks, concrete pavers, ornamental fencing and landscaping. Structural improvements to the stations themselves include roof repairs, maintenance to the canopy waiting area, the painting of an underpass, and the installation of two new staircases.