Grand Central will get rave evaluations as a rail hub. Penn Station, not a lot.
So, what if Penn obtained a brand new look and a brand new title: “Grand Penn,” maybe?
“This could be the biggest deal in New York in a century,” mentioned Alex Washburn, lead architect for the Grand Penn undertaking.
His workforce spent three years growing the plan with a serious focus: shifting Madison Sq. Backyard one block east, from Eighth Avenue to Seventh Avenue.
“What’s in it for MSG? They get a new arena and it’s a swap for their old arena,” mentioned Washburn.
The Backyard, and proprietor James Dolan, might additionally get one thing that has eluded the well-known area: a everlasting lease. A part of the proposed deal might be lifetime rights to the brand new property as an alternative of the necessity to renew with Metropolis Council approval each few years.
“It’s a win, win, win,” mentioned Washburn.
However not everybody sees it that approach.
“The first thing we should figure out is what the transit plan is,” mentioned Samuel Turvey, whose advocacy group Rethink New York suggests a greater repair is extending tracks so New Jersey trains might run right through to Lengthy Island.
An identical sentiment from Amtrak, which owns the tracks beneath the huge station, the place 600,000 individuals descend day-after-day.
“It is essential that options are evaluated on their ability to meet the transportation needs of the region,” mentioned Jason Abrams, an Amtrak spokesman.
But to weigh in is actual property big Vornado, which was initially promised a number of workplace towers underneath a pre-pandemic model of redevelopment. And the Trump administration has oversight of your complete parcel of land.
Washburn, the architect, thinks that’s an opportunity for President Trump to make it a actuality, six a long time after the unique Penn obtained demolished.
“It highlights the role of a deal maker in this project,” mentioned Washburn. “It’s one of the reasons why it’s been stuck.”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s workplace mentioned they continue to be dedicated to their plan to revitalize Penn Station, a plan that’s “anchored by hundreds of new homes, seamless access to transit, and major improvements to the surrounding streets and sidewalks.”
