Leaders of New York and New
Jersey unveiled massive plans for Penn Station today.
The renovations include plans to transform the
busy station into a world-class hub that will put commuters and
communities first. "We are taking an enormous step toward
righting one of the wrongs of the past 60 years," said Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Hochul, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, New York City Mayor Eric
Adams and transit officials gathered Thursday morning to announce the latest
plans to renovate Penn Station.
The decades-old
transit hub links the Metropolitan Transit Authority,
NJ Transit, and Amtrak trains with the city's subway system in a claustrophobic
maze of cramped, confusing corridors.
The plan is
to change it from a cramped two-story structure to a sweeping single-level
train hall - but that's not all. The revised plan also
addresses the area's housing crisis with 1,800 residential units and 540
of them to be permanently affordable. "Combined, the new
buildings will add over 18 new entrances to Penn Station, widen sidewalks,
create more public space, and requires that 40% of every new building frontage
will be active use," says Hochul.
The
governor said the previous redesign plan has been revised based on community
feedback.
Calling
this a significant milestone in the progress to transform Penn Station, the
governors and mayor announced they are officially moving into the design phase
of the station and will begin accepting proposals from architecture and
engineering firms.
"We are truly in a once-in-a-generation
moment to remake our transportation infrastructure and secure our entire regions
economic preeminence for decades to come," said Murphy.
"This Penn station
development is crucial for us. It's our Empire State Building moment.
Because no matter who we are and what we do, transportation is at the
heart of our ability to live a prosperous life," said Adams.
Proposals for the redesign will be due by end of
July, and a firm will be selected by late summer early
fall.