New images show how transit officials hope to makeover the dark caverns of Penn Station into a modern, light-filled transit hub.
The renderings show two possible paths for the renovation of Penn Station — neither of which would require moving Madison Square Garden, MTA exec Janno Lieber told Wednesday’s monthly board meeting.
Under one proposal, 40 percent of the station’s upper level would be eliminated — creating a single-level facility with 40-foot-high ceilings.
The other “two-level” alternative would keep more of the upper level in place, but create an atrium in a former Amtrak waiting area.
On 33rd Street, MTA and city officials want to move MSG’s loading zones to create an expansive pedestrian plaza with a majestic entrance as its centerpiece, Lieber said.
A rendering of a proposed renovation to Penn Station. MTAGov. Andrew Cuomo’s grand vision for the area includes also includes new tracks a block south of the current complex under the stretch of Midtown that spans 7th and 8th avenues between 30th and 31st streets.
A third Penn Station concept presented on Wednesday could take over the space facing 8th Avenue currently occupied by the Hulu Theater, which is part of Madison Square Garden.
A rendering of a “two-level” renovation to Penn Station. MTABut Lieber said untangling the theater’s utilities from the arena would cost an additional $1 billion or more, and fail to slim crowds on 7th Avenue.
“We have, I would say de-emphasized this, at least in the MTA view, as a priority,” he said. “The 7th Avenue side is where the people are, and where we need to prioritize.”
A proposal for the future design of Penn Station. MTAState officials are working with NJ Transit and Amtrak to determine the next steps.
Lieber said officials must act quickly to prepare for additional demand created by a new tunnel across the Hudson River, which officials hope will proceed under President Biden.
“This is our chance,” he said. “We know we need to have a Penn Station that is ready to receive that additional capacity when the tunnels are completed. It’s not that far away.”
One of the proposed redesigns of Penn Station. MTA





