New York state is now accepting applications from firms to design its controversial multibillion-dollar revamp of Penn Station and its surrounding area, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Thursday.
“This new plan will make the whole Penn area a place where people want to be,” Hochul said at a press conference alongside Mayor Eric Adams and NJ Gov. Phil Murphy.
The $7 billion redevelopment includes a rehab of the ghoulish train station, 10 new skyscrapers and improved pedestrianization. New residential units will also be built.
“This is the embodiment of transit-oriented development,” Hochul said. “You bring in people to place their jobs or right out the door, and also create living space. This is the model for the future.”
Murphy and Adams had not publicly committed to the plan before Thursday.
Hochul said firms have until July 28 to submit proposals for the station renovation, which is expected to cost several hundred million dollars.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced NY is now accepting applications from firms to redesign Penn Station. Getty Images
The entire redesign is slated to cost $7 billion. MTA
The MTA had previously floated an idea to turn Penn Station into a single-level facility. Bloomberg via Getty ImagesA previous design floated by the MTA last year would eliminate 40 percent of the station’s upper level would be eliminated — creating a single-level facility with 40-foot-high ceilings.
The rehab would not require relocating Madison Square Garden, which has sat atop the major transit hub since 1968.
Watchdogs and community opponents warn the plan could rob city coffers of much needed funding and hand it over to developers, namely Vornado Realty Trust.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul says that firms have until July 28 to submit plans for a renovation of Penn Station. Getty Images
In addition to redesigning Penn Station, the revamp will include new skyscrapers and residential housing. MTA
Critics allege the project is being pushed through without proper oversight. MTACritics say the project, first crafted by ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, is being pushed through without oversight from the city or state legislature. The project will not undergo ULURP, or Uniform Land Use Review Procedure — a standardized city-level process for public review of projects. Instead, the state plans to seize several properties through eminent domain.
Opponents have also argued that “payments in lieu of taxes” to the state from the developers would effectively give those companies a discount on their taxes, while redirecting tax revenues meant for the city to the state budget.
Asked about that criticism on Thursday, Hochul declined to discuss whether donations from Vornado boss Steve Roth and his family spurred her to push through the skyscrapers.
“We believe this is a place for new commercial buildings to be built,” she said.
“I’m very proud to move this forward.”
Additional reporting by Georgett Roberts
