Latest news with #DemetriusCrichlow
CBS News
3 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Clark Street subway station reopens after hotel awning collapse in Brooklyn Heights
The Clark Street subway station reopened Tuesday morning in Brooklyn after an awning collapsed over the weekend and blocked off the entrance. The Brooklyn Heights station was closed to commuters Monday but has since reopened. Surveillance video captured the moment the awning of the historic St. George hotel collapsed Sunday morning by the corner of Clark and Henry streets. Fortunately, no one was underneath the awning at the time, and no one was injured. The collapse blocked off an entrance to the 2 and 3 train station. The MTA said trains were still running through the station, but not making any stops there. This also impacted several businesses along the block that rely on the commuter traffic. "The first thing is how do we get service back to this station. And there are two entrances that need to be addressed. Which one can we get done the fastest to get customers safely into the station?" MTA President of NYC Transit Demetrius Crichlow said Monday after touring the damage. The Department of Buildings said the 15-foot by 20-foot awning had signs of poor maintenance, and that a similar awning on the other side of the hotel is now being inspected. The DOB issued two violations to St. George's Hotel Associates for not properly maintaining the building on Henry Street. CBS News New York reached out to the owners and has not heard back. The building is occupied in part by Education Housing Services, which said in a statement while they are not directly responsible for the maintenance of the building, they are "in active communication with the building's ownership and management to ensure any necessary repairs are addressed promptly." The DOB said Monday the owners were working to repair the awnings and the station would reopen pending a final inspection.
CBS News
4 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Clark Street subway station in Brooklyn closed indefinitely after awning collapse
Brooklyn's Clark Street subway station has been shut down indefinitely following the collapse a hotel awning above its entrance. Surveillance video captured the moment Sunday morning when the awning came crashing down in front of the 2 and 3 Clark Street station. Thankfully, nobody was nearby when it happened, and there were no injuries. A spokesperson from the Department of Buildings said the 15-foot by 20-foot awning showed signs of poor maintenance, but the investigation into the collapse is continuing. The station's entrances are located within the same building where the awning collapsed. A similar awning is on the other side of the hotel, and investigators are inspecting it, saying it shows similar signs of corrosion as the awning that collapsed. That means there's no way right now to get in or out of the station, hence its closure. The station's closure is frustrating businesses and residents in Brooklyn Heights, and adding inconvenience to the daily commute. MTA officials spoke about those concerns Monday morning after announcing they are not sure when the station would be able to be reopened. "We're as frustrated as they are. We have a service that we are willing and ready to provide, and so not having the ability to provide customers the transportation that they need and deserve is just unacceptable. We've elevated it to the top," the MTA President of NYC Transit Demetrius Crichlow added Monday after checking out the damage. "So the first thing is how do we get service back to this station. And there are two entrances that need to be addressed - which one can we get done the fastest to get customers safely into the station." Trains are still running though the Clark Street station, just not stopping there for now. City officials say the building is the responsibility of Educational Housing Services, and adds EHS has been responsible for the lobby entrance since 1915. Councilman Lincoln Restler said the building is the responsibility of Educational Housing Services, or EHS, which provides dormitory housing. Just this past Friday, Restler says he met with the NYC Transit president about a game plan to address issues with EHS. "We get complaints from our constituents, our neighbors, every week about the stench of sewage, about the grime and the filth," Restler said. CBS News New York reached out to EHS for comment but did not hear back Sunday evening. The DOB website shows two open violations from 2021 related to the building's façade, and a third from 2022 in violation of a local law related to façade safety. The DOB has issued a partial vacate order, which means small businesses like a shoe repair shop, bodega and florist, cannot operate for the time being.
Time Out
31-07-2025
- Time Out
Round-the-clock subway help is coming to these NYC stops
Late-night subway snafus just got a little less stressful. The MTA is expanding its 24/7 Customer Service Centers to 15 more stations across New York City, bringing the total to 30 systemwide by early 2026. That means more places where riders can find in-person help at any hour—whether you're struggling with OMNY, looking to enroll in the Fair Fares program or just need directions after midnight. The Customer Service Centers, first rolled out in 2022, have become a lifeline for many riders. Located near station entrances or turnstiles, the upgraded booths are repurposed from the old-school token era and decked out with branded wrapping, better lighting and clear signage. Station agents are on hand 24/7 (except at St. George, which operates on weekday hours) to assist with everything from reduced-fare applications to complaints and service updates. According to the MTA, the expansion comes at a key moment as the agency transitions to OMNY and expands eligibility for citywide fare assistance programs. New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow said the move is part of a broader push to make every subway experience a little more pleasant. Riders can expect easier access to information, personalized help and a real human face behind the glass—something that's increasingly rare in modern transit systems. MTA Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara credited the existing Customer Service Centers with boosting overall rider satisfaction, which is currently at an all-time high. 'Our customer service agents are a big part of that accomplishment—bringing critical support to riders when they need it most,' she said. While the full lineup of 15 new stations hasn't been revealed yet, the MTA has confirmed that Grand Central, East 180th Street, Rockaway Parkway and Far Rockaway–Mott Avenue are among the first to receive the upgraded service. The rest will be announced in the coming months. For anyone who's ever stood on a platform wondering where to turn, help is on the way—and soon, you won't need to check the time before asking.
CBS News
31-07-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Subway power outage disrupts several lines in Manhattan for 2nd time in a week
Subway service is disrupted in Manhattan after a power outage near the West 4th Street-Washington Square station, the MTA says. The station was hit with another outage earlier this week, leaving some riders stuck on board trains for roughly an hour. The MTA says B, D, F and M lines are disrupted Thursday as crews investigate the latest power loss. The same lines were impacted during Tuesday's outage, as well as the A, C and E. MTA New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow said the extreme heat may have been to blame for the earlier outage. "Heat will cause a strain on the system, and so now we go through our triage to find out what caused the dip in power or surge in power that caused that breaker to trip," he told CBS News New York's Elijah Westbrook on Tuesday. Crichlow said the MTA's capital plan will invest in improving substations. "The reality is a lot of our substations have gone a long time without being repaired, and the cables that tie to the substations, the same thing," he said. "This capital plan really does invest in better substations and then the tools that come along with having a new substation." At this point, there's no word on what caused this latest power outage. Check back soon for the latest updates on this developing story. CLICK HERE for the latest service changes.
New York Times
04-07-2025
- New York Times
Fatally Injured Teenager Is Discovered on Top of a N.Y.C. Subway Car
The deadly trend among New York City youth of riding on top of speeding trains, known as subway surfing, may have claimed another victim on Friday. An unresponsive and injured boy, 15, was found on the roof of a 7 train at Queensboro Plaza, in Queens, around 2:45 a.m., according to the police. The authorities transported him to Bellevue Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The cause of death is still under investigation, the police said. But it appeared to be a failed attempt at the dangerous, thrill-seeking practice of train surfing, which has plagued the city for almost as long as there has been a subway system. 'This was as avoidable as it is tragic,' said Demetrius Crichlow, the president of New York City Transit, the division of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority that oversees the subway system. 'I implore family, friends, teachers and anyone else who knows children that are even thinking about riding outside subway cars to persuade them it's not some video game — it's suicidal.' In recent years, the number of fatalities linked to the practice has climbed as a new generation of daredevils has tried its luck, spurred on by videos of subway surfers on social media, transit and law enforcement officials have said. The M.T.A. has been working with social media platforms, including Instagram and TikTok, to remove subway surfing footage. As of mid-June, more than 1,800 videos had been taken down, according to a news release from the authority last month. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
