Gary+Uter+2

=//**Back Bay Train Station: Pathway to the City**// =

= = = = Train stations which to the casual rider nothing more than a means = = of transportation have become for a many individuals a place to gather. Back Bay train station located on the Orange line between New England Medical and Massachusetts Avenue stops, opened on May 4. 1987 replacing a station by = = = = the same name which was built in 1899. The station is reflective of the neighborhood in which it was built. Back Bay one of the more affluent portion of the city of Boston is renowned for its grandeur which is often depicted in its architecture such as the Boston Public Library located in Copley square which rivals the any building in terms of its aesthetic quality. Composed of eighteen pairs of glued laminated timber arches better known as glulam radial arches. Each of which spans sixty five feet, giving riders a majestic entrance to the station, due to the warmth and tones as well as the numerous other aesthetics associated with exposed wood. The architects knowing the aesthetic quality that wood provides choose to use glulam arches and high ceiling as they recalls the grandeur and spaciousness of railroad stations of the past. The entrance of the station is also outfitted with a liberal amount of glass which provides the station with light, it also adds to the natural and warmth look provided by the use of wood. Most contemporary train station such as the one located in fields corner, is built primarily of concrete and steel, however the architectures wanting a feeling of antiquity built Back Bay station with a wood interior.

Back Bay station, one of the busiest in Boston and arguably Massachusetts can be quite loud especially during rush hour, serving some 50,000 riders everyday. The station offer bus, orange line, commuter rail, and Amtrak service, which produce a symphony of noise especially combined with street traffic from neighboring Darthmont street. The noise produced from the passengers during rush hour can be piercing as all the sounds blend together. The roar of diesel engines are quite frequent as there are quite a few bus service offered at the station including interstate bus to new York. The many elevated sidewalks and concrete benches provide a perfect surface for skateboarders who take advantage of it as apparent by the constant clinks and clanks caused. Skateboarding which is prohibited as depicted by the no skating signs located along the exterior of the station continues to take place nonetheless also add to the noise level of the station. Due to city’s lack of skate parks the station has become a third place for these skateboarders, who can be seen at the station for hours at a time even in the middle of November.

The skateboarders, outfitted in SB dunks, DC, distressed jeans and graphic T’s would fit in at any skate park in America. The station demographic ranges dramatically as there seems to be a large gap between young as old. Riders in general are either in their teens, early twenty or are older businessmen or women. While you might see White people in their late thirties and early forties, it is almost impossible to spot an individual of color in that age group. This can be attributed to the income as people of color tend to make less than their Caucasian counterparts thus they are less likely to be in that part of Boston. It can also and probably more accurately so be a result of the fashion sense of people of color in that age group, they tend to not be as interested in the clothing offered in many of the establishments in the area. Which is why almost all individuals of color in the station are in their teens, and interestingly enough they also make up a very large percentage of the population inside the station especially during the hours immediately after school lets out. The recent fashion revolution inside the minority population has lead to an increase in people of color on Newbery street. Fitted clothing in the current style of choice and there is no better place in Boston for this style of clothing than Newbery street. Overall the stations population is young as one might conceive from their choice of clothing, the most popular of which is without a doubt Uggs. Approximately one out of every four female within the station can be seen in a pair, which they usually pair up with a North Face fleece. Furthermore the station also functions as a meeting spot for both MBTA riders and non riders alike as it is identifiably in addition to its proximately to local establishments. As illustrated by the groups of people who gather around, some of which stick around for twenty minutes or more.

The station’s smell can be characterized primarily by the perfume of coffee produced by the two Dunkin Donuts located within. The entrance to the station however is plagued by the stench of urine, which eludes to the stations other function; a haven for the homeless. These homeless people who are seemingly prohibited from entering the actual station, have made the outside right of the entrance their home. These individuals who know the wealth of the residence attempt to take advantage of the neighborhoods affluence, however most of the people who tend to pass by are either teenagers or young adult who tend to have less money to give away. However they seem to have found a reason to stay as they can often be seeing with posters explaining their current situation, usually ending with a plea for donations. The most interesting of what I can recall reading “I am too broke to even pay attention”. There is also a large influx of fumes that fill the station whenever a commuter line train pulls up. The smell is overpowering and raises concerns as to the well being of the passengers as the fumes are more than likely detrimental to an individuals health. It is one of the major drawbacks and concern for the station, especially giving the fact that it is one of the more busy stations in an affluent community. The fact that nothing has been done in such a neighborhood truly causes an individual to wonder what sort of conditions are overlooked in lower income communities.

The station also serves as a facilitator for local businesses as public transportation is the most reasonable way of accessing the Back Bay area. The CVS pharmacy located to the rear is often visited by rider who are looking for a snack to take along on their journeys. The local eateries such as 209 Boston located on Columbus Avenue and others on Tremont street are mostly visited by MBTA riders as parking on the street is costly as well as limited. The street is almost always patrolled by city officials who seemingly never fail to issue a ticket to any car whose timer has ran out. It is also located just five minutes from Newbury street which is home to many of the best retail stores the city has to offer. There is also numerous Hotels located in and around Copley Square of which many of their residences are Commuter or Amtrak rail riders.

Work Cited

"Glulam in Transprotation Structures." Anthonyforest.com. 2005. Web. 27 Nov. 2009. .