In February 1956, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) petitioned the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) for permission to close and remove the station if racing was transferred from Jamaica Race Course to Belmont Park due to low ridership.[5] The station was used by 80 riders on weekdays, and by 30 riders on non-racing Saturdays. The LIRR suggested that riders use the Higbie Avenue station instead.[6] On August 23, 1956, the PSC rejected plans to build a permanent railroad station alongside Jamaica Race Course, and approved a revised plan to close the Locust Manor station and a bridge at 120th Avenue, which would save $1,087,000. The PSC ruled that it was not justified for the LIRR to spend $847,000 on a new station in light of public knowledge about the closure of the racetrack in 1958.[7] The PSC permitted the LIRR to construct temporary facilities instead.[8] The LIRR's application was opposed by the counsel for the Mayor's Committee on Slum Removal, who stated that as soon as racing ended in 1958 at the track following the rebuilding of Belmont Racetrack, and the modernization of Aqueduct Racetrack, a builder would start work on the site.[9]
On May 19, 1957, the PSC granted the LIRR permission to discontinue the Higbie Avenue and Locust Manor stations following the completion of a station between them at Farmers Boulevard. The new station would initially be accessed by a stairway at its southern end, and a pedestrian walkway at the northern end, which would be extended to Bedell Street after Jamaica Race Course was replaced by a housing project. The PSC also directed the LIRR to combine the project with its planned Old Southern–Rosedale grade crossing elimination project, and approved its $8,170,000 estimated cost.[10]
Station layout
The populuxe-designed shelters as seen on a rainy late afternoon. These shelters have since been replaced.
This station has two high-level side platforms, each eight cars long.
This station has two exits; one exit, adjacent to the Rochdale Village power house, is on the northeast portion of the sprawling Rochdale housing co-operative. At that end of the station, the staircase leads to a Bedell Street (southbound) walkway in between two private Rochdale parking lots, and to a northbound walkway leading to residential 134th Avenue. The southern exit leads to Farmers Boulevard, between Garrett Street and Bedell Street. There are short canopies near the exits. Ticket machines are at a pedestrian tunnel on the north end of the station, at the base of the eastbound LIRR station staircase.
NYCT Buses: Q3, Q85
