Home > News > Electeds Criticize Massive Development Plan Around Penn Station

Electeds Criticize Massive Development Plan Around Penn Station

New York City elected officials at all levels of government criticized Governor Cuomo’s proposed plan to demolish six blocks around Penn Station for massive development. They also challenged the $1.3 billion the Governor included in the State budget to begin buying or condemning buildings in that area.

In a letter to the Governor last Friday, the officials stated: “We cannot have a plan for the area around Penn Station and not have a clear understanding, let alone agreement, on what happens to Penn Station.” The letter also stated that the proposed project “fails to fully outline the transit improvements and public benefits that are supposedly connected to this project.”

Rendering of Empire Station Complex, a 20-Million-square-foot redevelopment plan for Midtown Manhattan.

U.S. Representatives Jerry Nadler and Carolyn Maloney, Assemblyman Richard Gottfried, State Senators Brad Hoylman and Robert Jackson, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer signed the letter. The Albany legislators also removed the initial funding for land acquisition from the State budget. Community Boards 4 and 5, which cover the area, also oppose the Governor’s proposal.

The Conservancy has opposed this plan from the beginning as a throwback to urban renewal that would run roughshod over City zoning and land use laws. State Senator Liz Krueger echoed that by criticizing the Governor for arguing “that this is some sort of blighted, poverty-filled area. That’s ridiculous. It’s a major section of Manhattan.”  Read our August 17 statement.

Following the electeds’ letter, the State Economic Development Corporation postponed a public hearing on the plan scheduled for this week and invited the lawmakers to a private meeting this past Monday. The State budget deadline is April 1.

Empire Station Complex area from the West, image by Andrew Campbell Nelson

 

Support Us

Donate

Your donation helps us expand our reach and be your voice for preservation.

Make A Donation

Become A Member

Join the Conservancy and be part of our mission to save New York’s extraordinary architectural heritage.

Join Us

Join Our Mailing List

Sign up to receive our free E-Newsletter, informative alerts, our monthly Mystery Landmark contest, and our monthly Tourist in Your Own Town video series.


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: New York Landmarks Conservancy. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact