Residents, city officials meet to discuss MetroNorth’s future in Hunts Point

City officials met with residents at The Point on June 18 to discuss the eagerly anticipated arrival of a new MetroNorth station in two years, and promised to take community input into account.

Representatives from the MTA and city agencies shared preliminary plans for the new stop, through an exposition-style format at which attendees were encouraged to approach any city representative  in the audience to discuss their own hopes for what the project could entail.

The station, which will be located between Garrison Avenue and Hunts Point Avenue, could slash residents’ current commute to and from Grand Central Station from roughly an hour on the 6 train to just 20 minutes.

One resident, Regino Jones, said he could easily see himself using the new station regularly.

“I just talked with a neighbor of mine,” said Jones. “When we go to the Knicks game…that’s gonna take us right there.” “Still, Jones is concerned that the project might not end up benefitting others in the neighborhood as much as it could. “I haven’t heard too much as far as employment,” he said.

Attendees gathered around a large map with Shawn Brede from the Dept. of City Planning to consider advantages the project might create for residents. “Why not?” Brede responded with enthusiasm when Jones proposed the team up with businesses to create job opportunities near the proposed station.

“This is an incredible opportunity for anyone who lives or works in the community,” said Brede. “Our job is to make sure that it’s working the best for the people that live here today.”