Anderson Street Station (Future)

[BLeafe]

For the first 9 weeks of construction, I only posted the one view from the back corner towards Anderson St. When that view looked pretty much the same for a couple of weeks, I started also posting the View FROM Anderson St in Week 10 because that's where the changes were more visible.

I had shot the Anderson St view from Week 1, but didn't post it. I just dug out those first 9 weeks of that view and posted them today. The angle wasn't consistent because there wasn't a tarp covering the fence initially and when they put that up, I had to move from the center to the corner and hold the camera above the fence.

So now - if anyone cares - every weekly post shows both angles............except for Week 24, for which I have no back view for some reason.

[BLeafe]

Week 39

The fence separating the station and the Straphanger Saloon has been uprooted and the side/back areas are now paved. A car or truck will be able to fit between the bar and the station's vehicle barriers.

The fence had been the line of demarcation behind which I was able to shoot, so they let me come inside its former perimeter yesterday -- even though they were still paving there.

The friendly foreman I met a couple of weeks ago came up to me and said, "Hey, history guy - wanna see the inside?"

"Sure"

And that's how I got the interior shots shown below. For a change, I didn't even have to ask.

A good part of the side facing the tracks will be permanently open (right side of fifth pic), but there will be some heat provided by the unit on the beam over the opening. If snow or rain are blowing in from the east, it'll come right inside.

The sixth pic faces Anderson St and the last one shows the ceiling and the small heating unit on the beam in the lower right. The floor still has to be resurfaced.

I didn't take too many pictures because there were few places to put the camera on or against to steady it for the long exposures I needed, but there wasn't much variety to capture anyway and men were still working inside as I shot.

The bus shelter will be removed and the ticket machine will be placed inside. The work won't be finished by Christmas - as the foreman had guesstimated previously - because of a problem with wires or cables that ran under something they weren't supposed to, so it took time to deal with that problem.

The exterior color is the final color, so there will be no yellow railroad station.

I thought that would have been an appropriate nod to the past.

[BLeafe]

Week 40

There's not much new on the exterior - save for a couple of black-banded lights on the side - and it'll probably be that way until the station opens.

Thinking about that open side...............what's to keep a flock of pigeons from taking up residence on the interior overhead cross beams and pooping on the commuters?

[Homer Jones]

Sound like a job for your hawk or whatever that bird was that hung out on your air conditioner. But then again, since the facility is owned and operated by New Jersey Transit, we could be talking about a civil service job here. Instead of medical benefits under Obamacare, he might be eligible for veterinarian - not veteran - benefits .Stranger things have happened.

[Editor]

I have to say I like what I'm seeing.  I was afraid it was going to be a "glorified bus shelter".  No, it's not the old station but NJ Transit kept the same footprint and a similar "look and feel". More importantly, this is now a functional train station that commuters can actually use.  The old station was a thrift shop not meant for waiting passengers. 

I hope the new station isn't vandalized.  Probably a good place for security cameras.

Bob- thanks for photo journal.  I look forward to seeing the progress, even if I do drive by everyday.

[Homer Jones]

The cameras are a great idea; but, the place has to be "lit up" inside and outside not only for resolution but for the perception of security by the passengers. The City is trying to encourage a passenger friendly environment here and it might be worthwhile to coordinate train arrivals and departures with police patrols in the area.
The same concept holds true when the 210 Main Street property becomes marketed and occupied and commuters are walking from the Bus Transfer station to  their new homes at 210.

[BLeafe]

Week 41

Snow was added this week.

[BLeafe]

Week 42

[just watching]

I see exposed hardware on the upper facade facing Anderson St.  The hardware for the truss, complete with bolt heads. I hope that isn't the final product, and I hope it won't rust.

[Homer Jones]

Looks  from here that the exposed bolts are a design feature. Presumably they are stainless steel.

[BLeafe]

I think you're right, Homer.

It's my understanding that what you see is what you'll get........hopefully with an "Anderson Street" sign on it (there was a rumor that the designer didn't want anything covering his creation).

[BLeafe]

Week 43

As expected, nothing new to show on the outside, but I was shown something new for the inside.

A NJ Transit guy whom I had met before, showed me a sample of what the floor will look like (third picture). I told him I didn't think it would hide the pigeon poop very well.

He said he thought the station would open at the end of the month, but wasn't sure.

Another NJ Transit guy showed up. I asked him about an Anderson St sign for the front of the station. He looked surprised - I got the impression that there was no discussion about putting one up. He immediately emailed someone at NJ Transit and gave him my contact information.

I think I'm gonna charge a consulting fee.

I also asked him who are they gonna get for the opening to replace the governor, who might have other things on his mind.

I suggested lining up Springsteen in a hurry. Have him debark from a train with his acoustic guitar and start singing the second half of "The Land of Hopes and Dreams" - all the "This train..." stuff (no "Downbound Train" - check out the lyrics), cut the ribbon, and get back on the train.

Short and sweet.

[Homer Jones]

Come on Bob:
Bruce and Christie doing Downbound Train and S and G doing Bridge Over Troubled Waters.
And to close it up, Dylan and Christie looking at Bruce and singing " You've got a lot of nerve to say you are my friend...."

[BLeafe]

Considering how long it's taken NJT to complete this project, good luck trying to get them to organize your mini-Woodstock in 2 weeks. 

[Homer Jones]

Good point. Maybe for ten grand  Lindsay Lohan will cut the ribbon.