Last week’s announcement that the Federal government is taking over planning for Penn Station got mixed reviews. But look at where things stood with the railroads and MTA in charge.
The Penn project had been split in two. The MTA was put in charge of a $7 billion plan for some modest upgrades to the Station. Even at that price tag, the State and MTA were trying to duck the normal Federal review that would allow public input.
Amtrak and New Jersey Transit were planning an underground expansion of tracks that would destroy the homes, businesses, and landmark quality buildings on the block south of Penn to build a $17 billion–let that sink in–a $17 billion underground, dead-end station for New Jersey riders. This expansion would go through the Federal review.
Recently, Governor Hochul changed course and joined Assembly Member Tony Simone and other local and State elected officials in demanding that the threatened block be saved. The Governor said she saw no need for New Jersey’s underground expansion. The legislators called for through-running.
We were delighted with these statements. But there was no guarantee Amtrak would change course.
The Conservancy, Re-Think NYC, and other groups have long called for an independent review of through-running, which would add capacity to Penn without requiring the destruction of a neighborhood. But an Amtrak study questioned how much capacity that would add and a spokesperson said through-running couldn’t happen for at least another 60 years. Amtrak trains already run through the station to travel up and down the seaboard. Expanding through-running would allow New Jersey and Long Island Railroad trains to do the same. Through-running is state-of-the-art transit elsewhere. But not in the busiest train station in North America.
So, what’s different now?
The Federal Secretary of Transportation noted that Amtrak owns Penn Station and the Federal Government runs Amtrak. They recently shook up Amtrak’s leadership. The Federal Railroad Administration, which months ago said it would play a larger role in Penn, said it would look at through-running and is considering whether to do an independent study.
The Feds are seeking a public-private partnership for Penn, similar to those that delivered Moynihan Station and the revamped LaGuardia Airport. There are already two public/private proposals for Penn. One plan would move Madison Square Garden, build in the style of the original Penn Station, but destroy the block south of Penn. The other plan is a more contemporary design with echoes of the original Penn columns that leaves the Garden and the block south in place. Re-Think NYC is seeking a private partner for its classical design that also envisions a Garden move.
Penn passengers have long been held hostage to an intense rivalry among the Railroads that thwarted any plans to unite the system. “Amtrak owns the station” was the excuse for elected officials not demanding change.
We don’t know if Federal control will produce better transit within a Penn Station New Yorkers deserve. But that wasn’t happening with the railroads in charge.