Sam Schwartz Engineering (SSE) announced that it played an integral role in the development and opening of the Second Avenue Subway Community Information Center (CIC), a one-stop shop where visitors can learn about the project’s construction and history.
Located at 1628 Second Avenue, between East 84th and East 85th streets, the CIC was developed for those who live and work in the Second Avenue construction corridor, as well as the general public.
SSE’s project team, including CIC director Laura MacNeil, will manage the CIC with MTA Capital Construction’s Community Outreach team from July 2013 until December 2016, when Phase 1 of Second Avenue Subway construction is expected to be complete.
MTA president Michael Horodniceanu and SSE pioneered the idea of this information storefront in order to provide community members a convenient place to find project staff, regular programming and activities, and biannual exhibits about different aspects of the Second Avenue Subway.
In addition to displaying rotating exhibitions, the CIC will host events such as transit talks and screenings of construction videos.
“SSE’s vision and community outreach expertise helped MTA Capital Construction bring its aggressive community outreach initiatives to a whole new level,” said CIC director Laura MacNeil.
“The CIC serves as a place where the public can rely on finding consistent, up-to-date outreach services and information about the SAS project. The CIC is a programmable space to educate residents, visitors, and school children, and gives the MTA more opportunities to engage with the community.”
Phase 1 of the Second Avenue Subway will extend the Q line from Midtown east to Second Avenue, then north to 96th Street. Phase 1 will link the Upper East Side to the core of Manhattan with three new subway stations and an expanded station at Lexington Avenue and 63rd Street.
The CIC will remain open through the completion of Phase I.
