Brooklyn subway station being revived

For the first time in 40 years, the southern entrance of Brooklyn's Fourth Avenue-Ninth street F, G and R train station has reopened -- step one in transforming the station from an eyesore to a driver of community growth, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and elected officials said Thursday.

"It's about time," said Daniel Rodriguez, 66, of Brooklyn, who was caught by surprise by the reopening. "I've lived in this community for 40 years and haven't seen it open. They never fix this place."

Some of the 11,400 commuters who use the Park Slope station daily, which sits partly on an aging bridge over a major road, had to cross six lanes of traffic to enter it. Councilman Brad Lander, who lives several blocks away and uses the station, said that he was happy that his children, ages 8 and 12, could be safer when they became old enough to use the train by themselves.

"This investment will save lives," Lander said.

The $800,000 renovation was spurred in part by Assemb. Joan Millman (D-Brooklyn) and Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, who both contributed some of the capital used for new lights, floors, turnstiles and a fresh coat of paint. He called it a "down payment" on future development.

At the opening ceremony Thursday, Markowitz thanked the MTA's in-house workers who completed the project without hiring outside contractors. "Tens of thousands of folks who use this station will remember you," he said. He added that he wanted to throw more resources into restoring Brooklyn's Fourth Avenue, bringing in more shops to a road that runs "from Atlantic Avenue to the Atlantic Ocean."

The MTA's goal, to be met in less than a year, is to transform the rusted, peeling bridge and overpass into a piece of architecture that is pleasing to look at and navigate, according to NYC Transit president Thomas Prendergast, who spoke at the ceremony with a printed backdrop of what the station will ultimately look like. Most of the station is still under construction, with a temporary platform in between the tracks.

The restoration is also part of the project to rehabilitate Culver Viaduct, along which the F train runs. Renovation of the neighboring station at Smith & Ninth streets, which sits on soaring pillars four stories high, will be finished by the fall, Prendergast said.

"This is exciting," said Dominic Gagliano, a former Floral Park resident who now lives in Park Slope. "It's a pain whenever we use it, we have to cross the road, especially with a baby carriage. This is a big help."