Two rival plans recently refocused attention on Penn Station and its surrounding neighborhood. There are questions about each. However, the publicity might finally force Governor Hochul to take action.
One plan would be to move Madison Square Garden to the site of the former Hotel Pennsylvania and demolish most of the block south of the station, which contains historic buildings. The other leaves the Garden in place, saves the threatened block, and creates a public park on the former hotel site.
Last week, Assemblymember Tony Simone focused on the neighborhood. He would save the block south of Penn, remove the threat of eminent domain from other adjacent blocks, and create a park on the former hotel site owned by Vornado. He would focus new development around the station on housing.
Architect, Alex Washburn and the Grand Penn Community Alliance called for an expanded station on Tuesday with a traditional columned entrance, sprawling green space, and some neighborhood demolition. It also requires getting the Garden to move and getting Vornado on board. Alliance members hope to get Washington’s attention.
Neither plan resolves how to improve rail service. The Conservancy has joined calls for an expert, independent review of through-running at Penn. We are interested because through-running could eliminate the need for any demolition. Amtrak would demolish homes, businesses, and landmark quality buildings on the block south of the station for a $16-$17 billion underground, dead-end station for New Jersey Transit.
The Grand Penn Community Alliance supporters say their plan focuses above ground and could accommodate whatever happens with the tracks. However, track configuration is crucial and needs to be addressed now.
There have been other proposals for the station by ASTM and Rethink Penn Station NYC which don’t demolish the neighborhood. The Governor once said she would welcome others and wanted a “world-class” facility. But she has left the station to the MTA and Amtrak.
New York deserves better.