N.Y. 2nd Ave. subway above-ground plan draws critics

NEW YORK CITY — The $4.45 billion first phase of the Second Avenue subway, now under construction in Upper East Side of Manhattan, is scheduled to be completed in 2018, and will extend from 96th Street to 63rd Street and Lexington Avenue. While it is an underground project, it will also include about a half dozen above-ground ancillary buildings that will house ventilation equipment and allow for evacuation from subway tunnels in the event of an emergency. Critics say the Metropolitan Transportation Authority missed an opportunity to work with developers to incorporate residential space in these ancillary buildings, the New York Times reported. To read the full story, click here.