New York State Governor Kathy Hochul told reporters last week that she opposed Amtrak’s plan to destroy the block south of Penn Station to build a $16-$17 billion underground terminal for New Jersey Transit.
“I’m not going to destroy this neighborhood,” Hochul said. “We can do the station itself… make it something we’re proud of… without destroying a neighborhood in the process.”
This is the first time the governor has publicly challenged Amtrak and expressed her desire to save the block, which has affordable homes, local businesses, and landmark quality buildings. Her statements were also reported in Thursday’s online New York Post.
“The challenge has been Amtrak,” Hochul said, but she worked to get them on board. The state initially threatened eminent domain on several blocks adjoining Penn to clear the way for new giant office towers that were to provide some undefined funding for the station. Even after economic conditions nixed those plans, the governor did not lift the threat of tearing down the neighborhood.
Hochul also said she has asked President Trump for $6 billion for Penn improvements. While the governor and the president disagree over congestion pricing, Hochul said the president supported her ideas for Penn and that she would show him plans at their next meeting.
The New York Landmarks Conservancy has long argued that improving Penn Station should not require razing part of Midtown. We applaud the governor’s statement.
Peg Breen is President of The New York Landmarks Conservancy.
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