NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – The Grand Penn Community Alliance—a grassroots organization calling for a renovation of Penn Station—unveiled its proposal this week to “boldly reimagine” the busiest transit hub in the U.S.
The group said Tuesday that it is the first independent design team to formally submit a comprehensive proposal through the U.S. Department of Transportation to totally transform the labyrinthian station built in the 1960s that's currently in Midtown.
The project team is led by Alexandros Washburn, chief architect and former chief urban designer for New York City. The proposal follows several years of studying the current station and speaking with stakeholders like the railroads and Madison Square Garden.
“The stars are finally aligning for Pennsylvania Station to transform into a beautiful, classical and easy-to-access train station that is built to accommodate the more than 600,000 passengers who use the station on a daily basis and New Yorkers who deserve robust public space,” Washburn said in a statement.
According to the group, the plan includes a design that “embraces the spirit and classic legacy of the original Penn Station,” an architectural wonder that was demolished in the early 1960s to the dismay of many.
In addition to the majestic layout, the station would also include “seamless” connections to the LIRR, NJ Transit, Metro-North and Amtrak, as well as a Bryant Park-sized green space called Grand Penn Park.
Under the plan, MSG would be moved across Seventh Avenue, allowing “Penn Station’s full potential to be realized while preserving the direct transit connection to MSG events,” according to the group.
The Grand Penn Community Alliance said their plan would cost an estimated $1 billion less than other proposals, while adding new capacity and amenities.