GRAND PENN
Grand Penn is New York’s next Penn Station, safer, more efficient, with twice the capacity of today’s underground facility.
Statement from Grand Penn Community Alliance's Chief Planner Robert Yaro Regarding Today’s Announcement by U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and the Amtrak Board of Directors’ Selection of Penn Transformation Partners (Halmar) as the Private Master Developer
“We are deeply disappointed that Amtrak has chosen a design for Penn Station that lacks the vision and scale of a truly transformative classical architectural new Penn Station. This is a once-in-a-century opportunity to create a world-class transportation hub that could improve the lives of not only the passengers who pass through it, but those who live and work in Midtown Manhattan, by leading to a renaissance of the neighborhood.
For five years, the Grand Penn Community Alliance has built a movement that wants our civic leaders to think bigger and do better. We will continue to push for a plan that brings back a grand, glorious and transformative Penn Station.”
The Grand Penn Community Alliance is not affiliated with the similarly named Grand Penn Partners or any other commercial entity participating in the Amtrak Penn Station procurement.
This is the deal of the century. A win for everyone. Grand Penn represents a bold new vision for rebuilding the Penn Station area.
A new commuter train hall for the passengers
A new Madison Square Garden arena across the street for the fans
A new open concourse with improved accessibility for the railroads
A new park and green space for the neighborhood
A rebirth of Classical architecture inspired by the original Penn Station
Restoring the original Penn Station Facade
Classical architecture helps define the new entrance to Penn Station on 7th Ave. This matches the original Penn Station Facade and unites the architectural theme shared with the Moynihan train hall.
A grand commuter train hall
Inspired by the original Penn Station train hall. This bright, open train hall invites people to the greatest transportation hub in New York City. Fine dining and retail support an elevated passenger experience.
Grand Penn Park
Inspired by Bryant Park, this new green space invites people to stay, relax, and recharge. The neighborhood gains valuable outdoor space and commuters can enjoy a refreshing environment. Trees make us all happier.
A unified, single level concourse
The largest train concourse providing clear sight lines, ease of navigation and better accessibility to all train platforms. This design dramatically improves passenger egress and ventilation.
A brand new MSG arena
Located directly across 7th Ave from Two Penn, a new state of the art arena with ultra modern amenities and efficient infrastructure.
FAQs
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It’s MSG’s decision. They have the most famous, most beloved arena in the world. This is an opportunity to create the next generation of that landmark arena to their specifications that brings the magic for the next generation of fans.
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It has to be somewhere with superb transit connections. Luckily, just across 7th Avenue is as transit rich as on top of the station. In fact, it’s even closer to PATH and the B, D, F, M, N, R, Q & W trains at Herald Square and the 1, 2, & 3 trains under 7th Avenue. And it is still connected both above and below the street to the station.
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Cost estimates from Zubatkin our cost estimator and construction manager, show about $2.3 billion for the arena and plus about $1.3 billion for the land. That’s a total of $3.5 billion for a new MSG. Zubatkin then estimated the cost of Grand Penn station and park at $4 billion. In total, that’s $7.5 billion for a new arena, a new station, and a new park.
That’s the same amount of money as the State said it would cost to renovate Penn Station underground if MSG remains on top. And instead of a cramped underground station, you get a great above ground station, a great park, and a great arena for the same price.
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Rebuilding a major train station under the world’s busiest arena is extremely expensive and difficult and dangerous. You have to move steel in by hand, for instance, and you can only work nights and weekends. You’re essentially paying double for half the value.
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Grand Penn will be ready in 2036.
We propose that we start immediately on a new MSG, and that Amtrak unifies its track expansion plans with Grand Penn so that everything can be done logically in the right sequence. It will take 4 years to build a new MSG, and 7 years to complete the integrated expansion and Grand Penn. The good thing about integrating all planning and construction is that it will make life much easier for commuters. The expansion will allow swing space for Amtrak and keeps service at a high level while the rebuild is underway. -
There’s no question: use a P3. To speed things up and keep costs down, Grand Penn should be a Public Private Partnership, or P3. It would save an additional 20% of costs compared to agency procurement. Right now, MTA wants to be responsible for part of the station and Amtrak wants to be responsible for another part. Two agencies, two teams of consultants. A recipe for delay, finger-pointing and cost overruns.
