In Elmhurst, almost all of the century-old buildings in the heart of the village were destroyed for the construction of the subway. Land was taken on the west side of the Broadway to avoid the demolition of St. James Episcopal Church and the Reformed Church of Newtown.
The demolition of century-old buildings in Elmhurst's central area was necessary for the construction of the subway, with an effort made to preserve St. James Episcopal Church and the Reformed Church of Newtown by acquiring land on the west side of Broadway.