MTA To Hold Hearing on Shutting Down Five Columbus Circle Station Entrances Overnight

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — A hearing will take place next week to discuss a proposal that suggests closing five entrances at the 59th Street-Columbus Circle station to the public overnight. Currently, these entrances are open 24 hours and seven days a week.

The closures would be done to accommodate security concerns for the retail passage featuring a mix of shops and dining which opened in the Columbus Circle station this spring. The shops, collectively known as Turnstyle, and restaurants are located in the corridor that extends south from 58th to 57th streets under Eighth Avenue.

The proposal suggests that to maintain the shops and secure the stores when they're not open, the 57th Street/Eighth Avenue entrances and the retail passage should be closed to the public from midnight to 5 a.m. During these hours, customers can access the subway at 58th Street and Eighth Avenue, 59th Street and Eighth Avenue and at 60th Street and Eighth Avenue.

All entrances on 57th Street would be closed overnight. The escalator and elevator are located on the 58th Street side, which would remain open at all times.

The hearing will take place in the William J. Ronan Board Room on the 20th floor of the MTA Headquarters at 2 Broadway on Sept. 28 at 5 p.m.

Those wishing to attend the hearing must register in advance either by calling 646-252-6777, by online registration, or in person at the hearing. Registration in person is permitted at the hearing until the meeting begins at 7 p.m. Verbal presentations concerning the proposed access changes will be limited to three minutes.

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