Let’s face it, Penn Station is a nightmare. Confusing corridors belie an unattractive dystopia of a train station, nestled in the heart of one of the most vibrant cities, culturally, in the world.
Fortunately, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has a plan. Unfortunately, that plan involves knocking down the 5,600-seat Theater At Madison Square Garden, which is situated underground, and creating brand new entrances and retail shops in the area.
While the city is still fielding proposals from developers, the ultimate goal would be to renovate Penn Station and to construct a shopping center/train station/post office across the street on Eighth Avenue. As Cuomo described it, the renovations would be “the biggest construction program in our state’s history.”
Specific changes include: a grandiose glass entrance to Penn Station on Eighth, adding a third track to the LIRR Main line, and converting the adjacent James A. Farley Post Office into a train station / waiting room for Amtrak customers. The renovations to Penn Station would force MSG to get rid of the small theater, though the venue proper would remain untouched.
The project is estimated to cost upwards of $3 billion, and comes as part of a major transportation overhaul initiative from Gov. Cuomo. Cuomo also spoke in Syracuse about renovations last week, and the city is working on a replacement for the Tappan Zee Bridge, which will open in 2018.
For more about this, read the feature in the New York Times here.
[Image via NYTimes Artist Rendering]