Magoun Square
Magoun Square is an intermediate stop on the Green Line Extension with a single island platform for the two green line tracks, alongside the two tracks used by MBTA Lowell Line Commuter Rail trains and the Amtrak Downeaster. The station is located in a slight open cut with streets passing over the fully grade-separated ROW around the station area.
The station has a single exit at its southern end. Here a short gap in canopy coverage leads up a lower landing containing two elevators (go redundant elevators!) and staircase lead up to the street level. At street level a 100 foot walkway, decorated by Unfolding Light by Aaron Stephan provides all access to the station’s one exit. Where a small open air entrance area contains a bench, CVMs and a Park & Pedal just before an entrance from the north side of the Lowell Street bridge right next to Maxwells Green, the labeled (on Google maps) driveway of a new TOD luxury apartment building.
The platform has additional artwork with what looks like graffiti on the platform panels. These are But a Name, also by Aaron Stephan. An interpretive panel states “is inspired by the former paper manufacturing building that stood adjacent to this site. The factory was a run-down remnant of its previous tenant and became a unique training ground for local graffiti artists. The interior of the structure was layered with years of beautiful wall paintings created mostly for practice, and for other graffiti artists to appreciate. But a Name… is an imagined wall of tags by iconic artist like Frida Kahlo, Jasper Johns, and Lee Krasmer.” I find it a bit ironic that here the MBTA actually commissioned an artist to play homage to street-art and graffiti that transit agencies spend lots of time and money on removing!
Photos 1-56: June 21, 2024
Ball Square