(rshsdepot) Hicksville, NY

[Bernie Wagenblast <brwagenblast_@_comcast.net>]

Links:
http://www.nyandw.com/hicksvillemap.htm  (includes photo 1909 station and
maps)
http://www.lihistory.com/spectown/hicksv06.jpg  (another view of 1909
station)
http://www.lirrhistory.com/jul992/hicks1.JPG  (1992)
http://www.lirrhistory.com/jul992/hicks2.JPG  (platform 1992)
http://www.antonnews.com/hicksvilleillustratednews/2002/01/25/news/images/tr
ain.jpg  (ribboncutting inside new waiting room)


From "Along the Track" the Long Island Rail Road Employee Newsletter

Hicksville: Close Ties With the LIRR

Hicksville and the Long Island Rail Road go way back.  Back to 1837, when,
just three years after being chartered, the Railroad reached this central
Island location.  What's more, the town was named after one of the
Railroad's founders (and second President) Valentine Hicks.  Hicksville,
junction point of the Ronkonkoma and Port Jefferson Branches, served as the
eastern terminus for the LIRR until 1841, when we continued the eastward
push.  Now, this highly-developed commerce and employment center is our
busiest suburban station, serving more than 6,000 customers a day.  And
those customers depart from and arrive at a brand new station facility
befitting the town's importance to our system.

Ground was broken on the new station in early 2000 in a project that
involved the demolition of the previous facility, and the construction of
new station building complete with improved ticketing facilities, an
expanded waiting room, public restrooms, new vendor spaces, new plumbing,
HVAC, lighting and alarm systems.  In addition, new sidewalks were installed
in the station plaza area, and artwork was created for the interior walls of
the station.

The work was performed by the Excel Group, under the guidance of our Capital
Programs Department.  Design-wise, the station makes use of extensive glass
fronting, offering significant natural light and an "open" feel to the
facility.  Attractive stainless steel bunging around the support columns and
tiled walls complete the look.  An official ribbon-cutting for the sparkling
new facility took place on January 17, 2002, with remarks from President
Bauer, and representatives from town, county and state government on hand
for the ceremonies -- including the Hicksville Chamber of Commerce, State
Senators Michael Balboni and Carl Marcellino, State Assemblyman Marc Herbst,
Supervisor-Town of Oyster Bay John Venditto, and County Legislator Ed
Mangano.

This is the fourth station to serve Hicksville.  The previous Hicksville
Station, opened in the early '60s when the track was elevated in a grade
crossing elimination project, replaced a 1909-built structure.  The 1909
station was a replacement for an 1873-built wood facility.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

January 25, 2002 story from the Hicksville Illustrated News

$5 Million Renovation Project Completed at
Hicksville Train Station

By Andrea Morale

A $5 million renovation project has been completed at the Hicksville Train
Station, bringing several significant improvements to the local commuting
hub.

The station, operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)
Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), received a new, larger station building, as
well as exterior improvements. The work, which began in January, 2000, was
funded by the MTA LIRR Capital Program.

MTA LIRR officials, elected officials, and community leaders marked the
completion of the project during a ribbon cutting ceremony held last
Thursday, Jan. 17.

Assemblyman Marc Herbst (14th District) lauded the MTA LIRR for its
commitment to the major improvement project at Hicksville, and for similar
work being completed throughout the LIRR system. "It's an honor to be a
resident of Hicksville and see this major improvement," Herbst said, adding,
"This is a welcome addition to this community." He also thanked the local
civic leaders who contributed valuable input into the improvements,
including Dave Staton of the Duffy Park Civic Association, who was present
at the ceremony.

Staton commended the MTA LIRR for its cooperation in implementing the
suggestions of local civic leaders. "We think they'll continue to be
receptive to our ideas for additional improvements," he said, citing such
finishing touches as landscaping and signage. Commenting on the overall
outcome of the renovation project, he added, "I think it's a huge
improvement for commuters and for the area."

The railroad has deep, strong roots in Hicksville. It was brought to town by
Valentine Hicks, the second president of LIRR, in 1837 - three years after
the railroad was chartered. Local residents relied on it as the eastern
terminus until the railroad reached Farmingdale in 1841. The first
Hicksville station house, a wood building, was opened in 1873. The railroad
was double-tracked to Hicksville in 1890, and the wood station house was
replaced by a brick station building in 1909. In 1962, that station was
replaced as part of the grade crossing elimination work on the LIRR's Main
Line. Since then, the Hicksville station of modern times has evolved into a
major local transit center, with more than 6,400 customers from Hicksville
and surrounding communities now using the facility during the morning rush
hours. Hicksville is indeed the LIRR's busiest station, with thousands of
residents relying on it for daily transportation to jobs in New York City
and the surrounding metropolitan area. The station is also home to an
historic landmark - one of the original Penn Station granite eagles, which
is located on the north side of the station building.

"I am pleased that work on our busiest station included such extensive
improvements to benefit all of our customers," said Kenneth J. Bauer,
president of the LIRR. "The larger waiting room and ticket office, along
with additional vendor space will make this station especially
user-friendly."

Said MTA Chairman Peter S. Kalikow, "One of the driving concepts behind the
MTA Capital Program is to encourage use of public transportation. This
project is a great example of the successful use of funding to improve a
major MTA transit hub."

The exterior work included demolition of the former station building, and
construction of a new, larger building in its place. The building includes
new brick work, glass block window treatments, large glass storefront-type
entrances, and ADA-compliant doors. Also installed were two new vendor
kiosks, a new police kiosk, new curbs and new paving. In addition, seven
station staircases are slated to be rebuilt in the spring, and new handrails
and railings will be installed. Interior improvements include a new, larger
waiting room and ticket office, along with ADA-compliant rest rooms. Also
installed were a new air conditioning and heating system, new tiled walls,
terrazzo floors, and two new interior retail spaces. A mosaic mural was also
designed in the waiting room area, and is expected to be completed soon.

Sam Maruca, president of the Hicksville Chamber of Commerce, and Judy
Lombardi, executive secretary of the chamber were among those on hand at the
ribbon cutting. "It's a welcome addition. It's something that was long
overdue," commented Maruca. He added that he is glad to see the LIRR is
committed to maintaining the level of services that the community expects at
the station.

"It's a great addition to Hicksville's downtown revitalization," commented
County Legislator Edward Mangano (17th District). "We hope it is a start to
more good things to come, in improving the aesthetics of Hicksville."

Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto thanked the MTA, LIRR and his
fellow elected officials for making the improved station a reality. "We in
the Town of Oyster Bay, are the beneficiaries of all their hard work," he
said, adding, "Hicksville is the heart of the Town of Oyster Bay."

=================================
The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org

------------------------------