Appears the MTA is finally getting serious talking about condemnation action. Finally we may get ridof MSG and build a world class station?
Madison Square Garden Property Could Be Subject to Condemnation For Penn Station Rebuild According to MTA President of Construction - Railway Track and Structures (rtands.com)
I encourage anyone interested in following this issue to watch and subscribe to ReThinkPennStationNYC, and the Empire Station Coalition. They may be a little one-sided in much of their emphasis, but it is not the self-serving whitewash that Governor Hochul's office, Vornado, etc. will give you.
In my very personal, cynical, curmudgeonly opinion, this is no different from a mortgage-holding bank threatening to sell someone's investment property on the courthouse steps for non-payment. Somehow, it always works out that the money changes hands to avoid the unwanted outcome. It'll be interesting to see what concessions, rate increases, redevelopment, etc. results as the negotiated quid pro quo here
I think a better Penn Station would be really, really, REALLY nice.
But.
I rode a lot of trains in Switzerland a year ago. The trains and train service were nothing short of phenomenal. The stations, by and large, were modern and utilitarian. In many, many places, small and large, the quaint old stations had been replaced by something modern.
The large stations were all very alive and vibrant with shops, restaurants and excellent platform access. Even the large places with old head houses - Frankfort and Geneva, had modern "guts".
Bern was really just a set of concourses, lined with shops, leading to the below grade platforms. https://photos.app.goo.gl/nB6Q1GrRS3mTY5c28
Given the short dwell between trains and connections, the stations don't need to be all that. You're not there long enough to care!
Penn Station really needs better function. But, maybe it doesn't have to relive it's old glory.
Just a thought.
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
oltmannd I think a better Penn Station would be really, really, REALLY nice. But. I rode a lot of trains in Switzerland a year ago. The trains and train service were nothing short of phenomenal. The stations, by and large, were modern and utilitarian. In many, many places, small and large, the quaint old stations had been replaced by something modern. The large stations were all very alive and vibrant with shops, restaurants and excellent platform access. Even the large places with old head houses - Frankfort and Geneva, had modern "guts". Bern was really just a set of concourses, lined with shops, leading to the below grade platforms. https://photos.app.goo.gl/nB6Q1GrRS3mTY5c28 Given the short dwell between trains and connections, the stations don't need to be all that. You're not there long enough to care! Penn Station really needs better function. But, maybe it doesn't have to relive it's old glory. Just a thought.
I think it's interesting how backpacks have taken over.
https://gothamist.com/news/penn-station-overhaul-sparks-feud-between-mta-and-amtrak
MidlandMike https://gothamist.com/news/penn-station-overhaul-sparks-feud-between-mta-and-amtrak
Wow! Amazing that MTA can do anything without full Amtrak is on board. A quick trip to any federal court will stop MTA & NY pols in their tracks.
I doubt that Amtrak would go to court as they would be told to knock-it-off by the state's US senators and congressmen. There will be a political solution.
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