This 149th St.-Grand Concourse subway station has been renamed 149th Street-Hostos, due to its…read morelocation under Hostos Community College, after extensive renovation now complete to make it updated and ADA compliant, easy to access and transfer between the (2,4,5) lines that together service both deep into the Bronx and both Manhattan's East- and Westsides, (a.k.a. respectively, the Lenox Avenue and Broadway-7th Avenue lines,) as well as Brooklyn.
For me, who shops monthly at Bronx Terminal Market, I can now bring my cart to fill up and exploit the series of elevators (from the street to the various levels) to reach my train, instead of having to navigate the awkward stairs or alternatively return via the walk over the bridge to the bus on Malcolm X Blvd and 135th St. So, I'm super happy! I can't imagine how people with strollers or physical challenges handled using this station beforehand, although apparently they had some form of elevators that were closed in 1975 for security reasons.
This station is where the IRT Jerome Avenue (a.k.a. IRT Woodlawn Line) and White Plains Road lines crossover at E. 149th and Grand Concourse in the Bronx Mott Haven neighborhood, which has been having a lot of growth and new construction, expanding housing particularly along the Harlem River.
Opened in 1905, what was first called the Mott Avenue Station, had trains that travelled from the East Side then up White Plains Road. The original name in the façade of 120-year old Mott Avenue Control House/Headhouse building that now houses the elevators. (FYI - Mott Avenue was renamed Grand Concourse in 1934.) In the 1920s, what's now the 4 train passed through here to the East Side. Also at some point in the early part of the century, what is now the 2 line was completed. With the crossovers and mezzanine, each having a couple steps to maneuver, it's clear that this had not been originally constructed with its present state in mind.
That being said, MTA's well placed elevators improve the transfer between platforms and/or to the street simpler, particularly for those who have difficulties using stairs. There is also many points with updated digital signage, with countdown clocks, etc.
The Control House entrance and mezzanine are better lit and easy to move through. You'll also notice the new, large tile mosaics of the wonderful, colorful, abstract artwork the Dominican-born, now Brooklyn-based, American artist Scherezade García created entitled "Liquid Highway / In Transit / Intertwined Memories."
No need, because of the labyrinth structure, to avoid this transfer hub. MTA's improvements have made it an easier, more pleasant subway station.
