What to Know
When the MTA recently finished construction of the new $500 million entrance to the Long Island Railroad at NY Penn Station, riders took notice, so much so that riders are hoping the other entrance will be renovated. New plans from a company ASTM calls for an entrance on 8th Avenue show an entrance with lights and escalators similar to those at the 7th Avenue entrance. Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine said dismantling the theater frees up the western facade of the station New York Penn. The goal? Erase the decades-old decision to tear down the once-great Penn Station.
NEW YORK — When the MTA recently finished construction of the new $500 million entrance to the Long Island Railroad at NY Penn Station, riders took notice — so much so that commuters are hoping the other entrance will be renovated.
“The entrance on Seventh Avenue looked great,” said LIRR rider Bob Caldaro. “It would be nice to have an equally nice entrance at the other end.”
New plans from a company called ASTM for an entrance on 8th Avenue show an entrance with lights and escalators similar to those at the 7th Avenue entrance.
“I think it would look a lot more attractive,” said Tara Sackey, a passenger.
Meanwhile, Congressman Jerry Nadler (D-NY) said New Yorkers deserve a decent station.
“If there’s one thing all New Yorkers can agree on, it’s that we deserve a Penn Station that’s worthy of the greatest city in the world,” Nadler said.
That kind of idea, which could cost several billions, received support from multiple levels of government on Tuesday, with a new twist: Some officials want to tear down the MSG Theater, formerly known as the Hulu Theater, and before that as the Felt Forum.
Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine said dismantling the theater frees up the western façade of New York’s Penn Station. The goal? Erase the decades-old decision to tear down the once-great Penn Station.
“We have now the best opportunity we’ve had perhaps since the ’60s to do something about it,” Levine said. “We have more momentum than ever.”
But that push may face a familiar obstacle: Madison Square Garden. The “most famous arena in the world” occupies the center of New York’s Penn Station. They own the theater and would therefore have to accept major changes.
However, some local lawmakers put pressure on by extending MSG’s permit for just five more years, meaning the clock is ticking.
“We want the theater removed to create a large train station and we have less than five years to do it,” said New York City Councilman Eric Bottcher.
In a statement, Madison Square Garden said: “Recognizing that the decision on which plan to move forward is not ours, we look forward to collaborating with all key stakeholders to improve Penn Station.”
However, even if they say no, the MTA says there are some backup plans to create entrances at the corners of the block.
2023-09-12 21:36:04
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