Wash Heights Pol Forms Plan To Clean Up Local Train Stations

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — In the aftermath of a January photo of used syringes and trash in the 191st Street 1 train station going semi-viral on uptown social media pages and groups, Council Member Carmen De La Rosa led a multi-agency walkthrough Tuesday of two Upper Manhattan train tunnels to address "sanitation and safety concerns."

De La Rosa was joined by representatives from the Department of Transportation, Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Department of Social Services, Department of Sanitation, the Corner Project, Manhattan Community Board 12, and the 34th Precinct for a walkthrough of the 191st Street 1 train tunnel, and the 181st Street 1 and A train station tunnels.

After the walkthrough, De La Rosa released the following preliminary takeaways and action plans.

The plan includes adding security cameras, more frequent cleanings, and improved coordination between the city agencies that oversee the tunnels.

• "Encourage Manhattan Community Board 12 to prioritize the 181st and 191st Street stations and tunnels in all future meetings.
• $25 million Capital Project funded by the Department of Transportation (DOT) for the full renovation of the 191st Street tunnel in 2025 (already in the works.)
• Establish a direct line of communication to the Department of Social Services (DSS) for homeless outreach and services at local train stations.
• Ask for increased frequency of tunnel cleanups from two times per month to consistent weekly cleanups.
• Request security camera installments in the 191st Street tunnel.
• Improve coordination between the Department of Social Services (DSS), New York Police Department (NYPD), and local non-profit partners such as Washington Heights Corner Project to provide proper services to those suffering from mental illness and unhoused people.
• The goal is to increase the delivery of support services to these individuals. Council Member De La Rosa does not support arrests or criminalization."

Today, we conducted a multiagency walkthrough of 181st & 191st Street tunnels & train stations.

Thank you @NYC_DOT Commissioner @ydanis, Manhattan Commissioner Edward Pincar, @NYCSanitation, @cornerproject, @NYPD34Pct,@MANCB12, & Dep. of Social Services for joining us. pic.twitter.com/j6baXKAdRf
— Carmen De La Rosa (@CnDelarosa) February 15, 2022

“Our community is working-class and many essential workers call Northern Manhattan home," De La Rosa said in a news release. "Residents deserve to have clean and safe subway stations when they commute to and from work.”

Earlier in January, De La Rosa led efforts to help clean up the uptown stations in the direct aftermath of the syringe photo garnering citywide attention.

A fully expansive and detailed plan is pending further discussion and negotiations with relevant agencies and community partners, according to De La Rosa's office.