Penn Station redevelopment to consider LIRR commuters' 'best interests,' official says
Amtrak special advisor Andy Byford discusses renovation plans at Penn Station last summer. Credit: Ed Quinn
Penn Station will be redeveloped with Long Island commuters’ best interests in mind, even though the MTA is no longer leading the effort, and could include relocating Madison Square Garden, the project’s leader said Thursday.
The project update came as the U.S. Department of Transportation on Thursday announced it had formally begun its search for a "master developer" for a reimagined Penn Station, soliciting letters of interest from potential bidders. After being vetted, some of those firms will be invited to submit formal proposals by next spring, with the goal of beginning construction in 2027.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, in a statement, said federal officials are "cutting through the red tape to meet our ambitious timeline, and I’m confident we’ll bring together the greatest minds to create an unmatched symbol of American architecture and infrastructure for visitors and daily commuters to enjoy for decades to come."
In April, the Trump administration took over control the Penn Station redevelopment effort, which was previously led by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and handed it to Amtrak to lead. The takeover raised some concerns that the needs of customers of the Long Island Rail Road, which runs the most trains into and out of Penn, would be prioritized below those of Amtrak customers.
In a conference call with reporters Thursday, Andy Byford, special adviser to the Amtrak board and the Penn Station project leader, said he is looking for a proposal that will benefit all users of Penn, including those of the LIRR, Amtrak and New Jersey Transit. Byford said the three agencies have common interests, such as improved signage and a less-confusing layout, and would benefit from efficiencies such as a single station cleaning contract.
And, Byford said, Amtrak will not disqualify proposals that necessitate the relocation of Madison Square Garden, which sits atop of Penn Station, contributing to the facility's dark and cramped environment.
Several developers have already advanced their visions for a reimagined Penn Station, including a few that would require knocking down some, or all of, the Garden. MSG officials declined to comment Thursday.
Among the few conditions project officials have for proposals, Byford said, is that they include plans to let natural light into the station and to replace the current bi-level layout with a single-level design that will allow for taller ceilings.
Although Gov. Kathy Hochul previously estimated that rebuilding Penn Station would cost about $7 billion, Byford would not put a price tag on the project or say how it would be funded.
Although Byford said public funding would be available in the way of federal grants and loans, project officials also intend to pursue private funding, and have hired a public-private partnership consultant.
"This will be one of the biggest and most significant construction projects in U.S. history, and we want the most skilled and knowledgeable partners to help make it a success," Byford said in a statement.
Alfonso Castillo has been reporting for Newsday since 1999 and covering the transportation beat since 2008. He grew up in the Bronx and Queens and now lives in Valley Stream with his wife and two sons.
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