The Refurbishing of Midtown’s Penn Station into a Modern, Light Filled Transit Hub

Edited by: TJVNews.com

Can any native New Yorker over the age of 50 even imagine a Penn Station in Midtown that is a modern, light filled transit hub?

Well, it seems that the dark caverns of tracks in Penn Station are about to have a significant facelift. According to renderings obtained by the New York Post, there are two possible options  for this to happen that would not require having Madison Square Garden moved. At Wednesday’s monthly board meeting, MTA Executive Janno Lieber confirmed this possible scenario.

The Post reported that 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, according to the report.

Lieber told the Post that the MTA along with city officials would like to relocate the MSG’s loading zones on 33rd Street to create an expansive pedestrian plaza with a majestic entrance.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has also weighed on the future of Penn Station. According to the Post report, his 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.

Also discussed at Wednesday’s meeting was a third Penn Station concept. This plan could see the station occupying the space facing 8th Avenue. On that spot now stands the Hulu Theater, which is part of Madison Square Garden.

Speaking to the New York Post, Lieber said, “We have, I would say de-emphasized this, at least in the MTA view, as a priority. The 7th Avenue side is where the people are, and where we need to prioritize.”

The Post reported that state 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, as was reported by the NYP.

“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.”