New York Officials Demand Answers on $8 Billion Penn Station Overhaul as Trump Team Faces Secrecy Claims
Updated
Updated · Gothamist · Jun 7
New York Officials Demand Answers on $8 Billion Penn Station Overhaul as Trump Team Faces Secrecy Claims
2 articles · Updated · Gothamist · Jun 7
Summary
$8 billion in planned federal funding for Penn Station drew fresh scrutiny Sunday as New York officials rallied outside the hub, saying they were shut out of redevelopment decisions and still lack basic cost and neighborhood-impact details.
Amtrak recently chose Penn Transformation Partners — backed by Vornado, Halmar and Skanska — as master developer after the federal government took control of the project from the MTA last year.
Jerrold Nadler, Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Mark Levine said local leaders should have been included because they represent nearby communities and riders; their coalition called the process a bid to seize "money, land and power."
The overhaul would add an Eighth Avenue entrance, aim to improve train operations and remake Madison Square Garden's exterior, while Amtrak says it could also enable limited through-running for some NJ Transit and LIRR trains.
Tensions remain over control and funding: Hochul says New York will add no more money, MTA officials have not signed a collaboration agreement, and federal officials say final renderings are coming soon.