Amtrak’s private review of three proposals to transform Penn Station has generated speculation and concern. Amtrak may announce the winner by the end of this month or early June.
The Conservancy has always supported efforts to improve Penn, a truncated and crowded Station.
But we have focused on two non-design issues:
- We don’t want the block south of the Station with homes, local businesses, and landmark-quality buildings to be destroyed.
- And we have joined the groups calling for an independent study of expanding “through-running” in the station.
Letting New Jersey and Long Island trains continue through the Station, as Amtrak trains always have done, could increase capacity without the need for neighborhood destruction. Amtrak has proposed a $16-17 billion underground station for New Jersey Transit that would destroy the blocks south of the station.
The public has seen earlier views of two of the plans now under review. One keeps Madison Square Garden in place but removes the Hulu Theater, opening up the Eighth Avenue entrance. The other calls for moving the Garden and creating a park in front of a new station. The second plan would extend across 31st Street and demolish much of the block south of Penn if Amtrak proceeds with the underground expansion.
Unfortunately, despite a promise of an independent review of through-running with appropriate software simulations known as RTC (Rail Traffic Controller), we don’t appear to be getting one. None of the plans that have been submitted – either pro or con through-running – have had studies using this software, which is normally used for projects of this magnitude.
The public has not seen the third submission. But there is speculation of a giant tower across from whatever the Penn plans are.
To add to the uncertainty over the outcome, the MTA is demanding that the multi-million dollar upgrades it has already provided at Penn be integrated into any new design.
We encourage you to read the comments from a resident who may lose his home if the block south of Penn comes down, and from our friends at ReThink NYC, which provide more detail.
Peg Breen, President
The New York Landmarks Conservancy