In a joint declaration, Governor Kathy Hochul alongside the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), and Delancey Street Associates, have commenced their plans for upgrading the Delancey St–Essex St Station complex for ADA compliance and initiating a mixed-income housing development at Essex Crossing. This move comes as part of efforts to inject greater accessibility and affordability into New York's urban scape, heavily bolstered by the Congestion Relief Zone's projected revenues. “We are committed to creating a more accessible and more affordable New York with improvement plans that are focused on bettering opportunities and the transit customer experience for riders,” Governor Hochul told the press release.
The newly announced developments include the construction of a 99-unit mixed-income housing complex and significant accessibility improvements at the subway station which will feature three new elevators for passenger convenience. These enhancements aim to enable riders, including those with disabilities, seniors, and individuals with strollers, seamless access to and within the station complex. Delancey Street Associates, has agreed to grant an easement to MTA for constructing an elevator that connects Delancey and Essex Streets directly to the subway station.
“The MTA is making subway stations accessible at five times the pace of previous administrations. Every New Yorker — seniors, young families with strollers, people with disabilities — need to be able to get to jobs, school, shopping and everything else the City has to offer, so I’m thrilled NYCEDC and Delancey Street Associates were able to figure out a deal so we can move forward on this long overdue project,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber, spotlighting the rapid evolution of station accessibility under the current leadership, as noted by the Governor's office.
Supporting the initiative, MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo emphasized the importance of Delancey-Essex in the Lower East Side, stating that making the complex accessible will create new opportunities for thousands of people, including seniors, caregivers with strollers, and individuals with disabilities. Meanwhile, NYCEDC President and CEO Andrew Kimball emphasized that these subway station accessibility upgrades will stimulate further development at Essex Crossing, transforming the locality into an even more vibrant economic hub.
The collaborative efforts of state and local government officials as well as private entities mirror a cohesive push towards inclusivity in public transportation. In the words of Assemblymember Grace Lee, “Building elevators isn’t just about infrastructure, it’s about dignity, independence, and equitable access to resources. I’m grateful that after years of advocacy from elected officials and community members we are finally seeing progress as the MTA moves forward with the accessibility of the station at Delancey St-Essex St.” Despite the formidable complexities incumbent in urban development, the entities involved have managed to align their interests and secure a massive advancement for the community. Council Member Christopher Marte lauded the improvements at the Delancey St - Essex St F M J Z Station, emphasizing its critical role in supporting mobility for seniors and the community at large, as reported by the Governor's office.
Design work for the station's new entrance has been initiated, with construction expected to begin in 2026.
