President Donald Trump is taking over the reconstruction of Penn Station from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), federal transportation officials announced Thursday. The move will be overseen by Amtrak, which owns Penn Station.
The decision comes after years of planning and delays, with the MTA having proposed relocating Madison Square Garden to allow for expansion and renovation of the station. However, Governor Kathy Hochul had previously expressed opposition to this plan, citing concerns over the potential demolition of a city block.
Federal Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the takeover was necessary to ensure that every dollar is spent wisely on creating a safe and clean transit hub. “New York City deserves a Penn Station that reflects America’s greatness,” he stated.
The new approach will involve Amtrak leading the planning and reconstruction of the station, with a single grant overseeing both projects. This move aims to bring forward long-overdue improvements to the station, saving taxpayers $1.3 billion.
Some experts have welcomed the change, citing the need for progress on the project despite years of delays. Tom Wright, president of the Regional Plan Association, said he would support the takeover if it means advancing the work. Others, such as Layla Law-Gisiko, president of the City Club of New York, are cautiously optimistic about the new direction, but emphasize that true improvement requires more than just cosmetic changes.
The move comes after a proposal from Trump’s allies released earlier this month, outlining plans to overhaul Penn Station with a neoclassical design and moving Madison Square Garden across Seventh Avenue. The National Civic Art Society has expressed support for the federal takeover of the project.
Source: https://gothamist.com/news/trump-station-feds-take-control-of-penn-station-rebuild-kick-mta-off-the-project