Harlem Leaders Asked MTA for Transit Input

Local business owners sought a formal role in planning as Second Avenue Subway construction progresses through Harlem.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Isometric editorial illustration featuring a yellow metal construction barrier and stacked granite stones on a concrete city sidewalk. — Harlem business leaders met with MTA chair Janno Lieber to demand a formal role in planning the ongoing Second Avenue Subway expansion. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Harlem community leaders met with MTA chair Janno Lieber to demand a formal seat at the table regarding the ongoing Second Avenue Subway expansion. The project, which includes new stations in East Harlem, has raised significant financial concerns among local business owners.

Why it matters

Business owners are worried that prolonged construction will lead to continued revenue losses and displacement. They seek MTA intervention to mitigate the economic impact of the project on the surrounding community.

The expansion project adds three new stations at 106th, 116th, and 125th Streets. Some local businesses have reported a 1% daily sales drop during the current construction period.

The players

Janno Lieber

He is the chair and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the agency responsible for public transit in the New York City metropolitan area.

Kathy Hochul

She is the 57th Governor of New York and has been overseeing state budget allocations for major infrastructure and transit expansion projects.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority

This is a public-benefit corporation responsible for public transportation in the New York City region, including subways, buses, and commuter rail.

The details

Construction fencing along Second Avenue has reduced pedestrian visibility for storefronts, prompting leaders to push for direct involvement in the planning process. While the MTA utilizes an outreach team to gather feedback, business owners are calling for a formal role to help protect their bottom lines during the multi-year project.

Phase 1 of the subway project was completed in 2017.
Governor Kathy Hochul funded expansion design and engineering in early 2026.
Harlem leaders met with MTA chair Janno Lieber on October 5, 2026.
The East Harlem section of the project is expected to be finished in 2032.

Market Landscape

The push for community input follows a pattern set by the Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 construction project. This effort highlights the tension between necessary transit infrastructure upgrades and the stability of small business corridors in dense urban markets.

Local shoppers may experience ongoing pedestrian detours and reduced access to storefronts along the Second Avenue construction corridor. Residents and business owners will likely continue to face transit-related disruption until the project reaches completion in 2032.

The takeaway

Public infrastructure projects of this scale frequently create distinct economic challenges for established neighborhoods. Community leaders are prioritizing proactive engagement to ensure that development does not come at the cost of local business vitality.