MTA Program Transforms Over 30 Vacant NYC Subway Spaces into Art Installations

New York City's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has launched an initiative to repurpose over 30 vacant subway retail spaces into engaging art installations, a move highlighted by the recent "Dinosaur Bodega" at the Grand Army Plaza station. This program aims to revitalize unused units, transforming them into vibrant, welcoming areas for commuters. The effort responds to a growing number of shuttered newsstands and retail spots that are no longer viable for traditional commercial use.

One prominent example of this initiative is "Rex's Dino Store," a whimsical art installation created by Brooklyn artists Akiva Leffert and Sarah Cassidy. Located in a former newsstand at the Grand Army Plaza subway station, the display features a 7-foot-tall papier-mâché Tyrannosaurus Rex named Rex, surrounded by an array of prehistoric-themed, pun-filled products. As stated in a tweet by Seth Pollack, "NYC subway stations are full of vacant spaces, so they’re started letting artists use them. Now we have Dinosaur Bodega."

The Vacant Unit Activation Program, launched in 2023 by the MTA Real Estate initiative, seeks to fill these often small, irregularly shaped, and utility-lacking spaces that are unfit for standard rentals. Mira Atherton, Senior Manager of MTA Construction Development, explained that the program provides "affordable space for artists and nonprofits who often have trouble finding space." Since its inception, the program has facilitated 12 total activations, with eight currently on display across the subway system.

Artists Leffert and Cassidy spent over a year bringing Rex's Dino Store to fruition, navigating bureaucratic processes and physically crafting the detailed installation. The project, which is not a functional retail outlet but a diorama, has garnered significant public attention. Commuters are frequently observed doing "double-takes" as they discover the intricate details and humorous elements of the prehistoric shop.

This program offers a creative solution to the challenge of underutilized subway real estate, which saw over 80 percent of its retail sites unoccupied last year due to declining print sales and the impact of the pandemic. By inviting artists and cultural organizations to occupy these spaces rent-free on a short-term basis, the MTA is fostering a more dynamic and enjoyable environment for daily riders. Rex's Dino Store is scheduled to remain on view until December 2025, serving as a testament to the program's success in enlivening the underground landscape.