-
MTA K-9 finds a home; Tennis could return to Grand Central
The MTA K-9 Unit has finally sniffed out a property for its 50 dogs.
The agency is close to purchasing 71 acres of private land in Dutchess County to build a training facility for the unit, which has already been schlepping farther north to borrowed space in Orange County since its inception in 2002.
Each dog undergoes 16 hours of training a month, and the MTA expects to use the grounds “24-7,” said MTA Police Chief Michael Coan.
“This is a site that will allow us to train specific to the station environment,” Coan said.
The $1 million purchase price is less than half of what the MTA budgeted for the property, the agency said. The full board will vote on the deal tomorrow, and officials hope to begin using the property immediately. A $5 million facility, which will also be used for a firing range and other training, should be completed in two years, Coan said.
In other agency news, commuters who use Grand Central Terminal could soon get to practice their backhand after work. The MTA is looking to reopen a tennis court on the fourth floor of the building. If approved by the full board Wednesday, the Yorkville Tennis Club would construct one doubles court and a lounge on the terminal’s fourth floor.
A tennis club has operated there since the 1970s, but the MTA suspended its lease in May. Yorkville has offered to pay upwards of $225,000 a year to rent the 8,800-square foot space. The court would be open to the public and provide lessons, but a company manager couldn’t say yesterday when it would kick off or how much it would cost to join.
- Follow Us
advertisement | advertise on am New York
advertisement | advertise on am New York
Partners
Search cars
