Sunnyside and Woodside residents and commuters will soon be able to walk under the No. 7 train without having to dodge pigeon poop.
After hearing concerns from residents, Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer announced he has allocated $250,000 in funding to install “state-of-the-art pigeon mitigation systems” along the No. 7 line at 46th Street-Bliss in Sunnyside, 52nd Street-Lincoln Avenue in Woodside and 61st Street-Woodside.
“Pigeon poop isn’t a joke,” said Van Bramer. “It is something that is terribly disgusting. It makes our neighborhood look unattractive and it is also a health hazard.”
The new alleviation systems, which will take three months to be fully installed, will include the addition of thin wiring and netting in nearby areas to the subway entrances, and installment of nylon spikes and angled edges on the ledges. New ultrasonic devices will also be installed releasing hawks’ and other predatory birds’ sounds that keep pigeons away but are silent to humans.
Chad Coleman, a Sunnyside resident, said the spikes will work as long as they are maintained well. He also said pigeons and rats flock to the area because people leave food around.
“Deterring pigeons from these areas will make a huge impact on the cleanliness of the spaces under the train, and will be a huge step forward to transform these spaces into true public places for pedestrians,” said Rachel Thieme, executive director of Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District.
Additional reporting by Benjamin Fang
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