NEW YORK | Penn Station / MSG Renovation

[ChiND]

https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/trai...ts-now-in-penn-station-rebuild-LN4852827
‘Train Daddy’ Byford: “Hard Part Starts Now” in Penn Station Rebuild
Andy Byford, in his first pubic utterances since he was tapped by President Trump to head up the rebuilding of Penn Station for Amtrak, said rather than “reconstruction” he is planning for “transformation.” But he’s talking to all sides.
MICHAEL ORESKES | 18 JUL 2025 | 06:17

He suggested the most likely outcome was probably a mix of through running and terminal runs.

He also stressed that there would be “a competition” for the best plans and said the details of that competitions would be disclosed in the near future.

The Trump administration has said it wants the project to be conducted as a public private partnership, in which much of the work and at least some of the investment is handled by a private company.

“There are a number of proposals on the table,” Byford said. “I’ve seen them all, or at least the ones that we know of so far. I want an open and transparent competition to inform what the future should look like. But I’m already clear in my mind that it’s more than bricks and mortar. That’s what I’m saying. That’s why I changed the name of my group from Penn reconstruction to Penn transformation. It’s not just bricks and mortar. It’s got to be everything. The way the service is offered. The way the staff interact. The way the customer service is provided. The wayfinding. Everything. I want you guys–you’re the New Yorkers–I want you to be so proud of the best station in the world.”

[streetscaper]

So that report a few years ago about through-running at Penn not being feasible by I-forgot-which-agency was basically bullshit excuses, like many of us figured

[mrnyc]

well clearly he will at least set the table for that.

[k1052]

Originally Posted by streetscaper

So that report a few years ago about through-running at Penn not being feasible by I-forgot-which-agency was basically bullshit excuses, like many of us figured

Because Amtrak wanted to build Penn South no matter what they found a way to justify it (TPH). Same thing happened with the East Side Access. Other options than the deep cavern would have delivered 18-20 TPH but LIRR said they MUST have full theoretical 24 TPH capacity the tunnels afford and spent billions more to get it...along with the MNRR being happy they didn't have to share any part of GCT operationally with them.

[ChiND]

Originally Posted by k1052

Because Amtrak wanted to build Penn South no matter what they found a way to justify it (TPH). Same thing happened with the East Side Access. Other options than the deep cavern would have delivered 18-20 TPH but LIRR said they MUST have full theoretical 24 TPH capacity the tunnels afford and spent billions more to get it...along with the MNRR being happy they didn't have to share any part of GCT operationally with them.

I think that it was agreed that the demo on MSG, removal of its columns, and through-running would preclude the need for demolishing that block to the south. It will be interesting to see what we get.

I'm glad that the Erie County Clerk is no longer involved.


wikipedia

[ChiND]

https://www.newsday.com/long-island/tran...53124548a9211b85ffc11a3cb4a&utm_term=sub

Penn Station's biggest problems — and the competing proposals to fix them

By Alfonso A. Castillo
[email protected]@alfonsoreports
Updated July 19, 2025 8:03 pm

[ChiND]

https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/07/23/what-penn-station-its-community-need/

[ChiND]

https://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/rethinking-new-york-from-civic-spaces-to-creative-visions/

The big surprise of the night was the unexpected appearance of Andy Byford, recently named head of the Penn Station project and already familiar to many New Yorkers as “Train Daddy” from his time at the MTA. Byford didn’t give a formal speech, but his remarks were clear and candid.

“Part of my job is to talk to everyone and to get an absolute kaleidoscope of views,” he said. “Everyone’s views are important. I know there are a lot of strong opinions and big personalities involved in this, and some people have said, ‘You’ll never get consensus.’ But we’ll see about that… I’m up for it. The hard work starts now. But watch this space—we are going to deliver a totally transformed, state-of-the-art, beautiful Penn Station.”

[mrnyc]

from the nyc ferry —

[mrnyc]

from the highline —

[Busy Bee]

Are those struts reusable or the kind they torch cut up when they're done? They're rentals, so I'm assuming the former?

[ChiND]

South Korean Firms Want to Invest Billions in Rebuild of Penn Station
A coalition of South Korean companies approached the Grand Penn Community Alliance saying they want to participate in the Trump administration’s multi-billion dollar plan to rebuild Penn Station.
Michael OreskesPenn Station /| 22 Aug 2025 | 05:28
https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/sout...ons-in-rebuild-of-penn-station-GD4984686

As part of South Koreas new trade deal with the Trump administration, Korean industrialists are offering to invest in the rebuilding of Penn Station and its neighborhood.

“We understand that the US DOT [Department of Transportation] and President Trump desire to see this project move forward as expeditiously as possible as a priority national-level goal,” said a letter from Jin Roy Ryu, a Korean munitions manufacturer and chair of the Federation of Korean Industries.

The letter arrived just ahead of the summit meeting at the White House Monday, August 25th, between President Trump and the President of South Korea Lee Jae-myung. A key agenda item for the summit, according to President Trump, is ironing out the details of a Korean commitment to contribute $350 billion in US-based investments as part of their July tariff deal.

Should President Trump support the participation of the Republic of Korea in the Grand Penn Project, we would welcome the opportunity to discuss possible ways to support the engagement,” Ryu wrote to Klingenstein.

This, Ryu explained, could be “both as a potential financial partner in the infrastructure redevelopment and as a possible catalyst for commercial real estate development.”

The Grand Penn Community Alliance estimates the cost of its plan at $7.5 billion, but the Koreans were said to be willing to invest up to $15 billion. The additional investment would be in office development in the adjacent neighborhood, which includes what is popularly known as Koreatown, or K-Town.

[Busy Bee]

FoxCon

[The New York Lion]

Looking forward to the press conferences this week.

Hopefully Donald, Sean Duffy, and the South Koreans can deliver us something glorious.

[Busy Bee]

They won't.

[ChiND]

Andy Byford has been very consistent:

…why not take the opportunity to fix the damn thing once and for all, which is, I’m going to say: get rid of the pillars, which means move MSG, but at the very least, do something with the track configuration to enable through-running.

https://pedestrianobservations.com/2023/07/28/quick-note-andy-byford-and-through-running/

“If we are going to do all of that, why not take the opportunity to fix the damn thing once and for all? Byford said it would be ideal to remove all the pillars that hold up Madison Square Garden, and cramp already narrow platforms.

https://www.westsidespirit.com/news/byfo...to-run-on-one-another-s-tracks-DF2645162

MTA (in conjunction with Amtrak and NJTransit) demonstrated, in an unprecedented statement, that MSG is “incompatible” with Penn Station. The MTA is right about that but is strangely mum on the safety and logistical problems arising from MSG’s pillars resting on the station’s train platforms if MSG stays in place. The pillars impede the reconfiguration of tracks needed for an appropriate commuter rail network, including one centered on “through-running,” the global standard for commuter rail in peer international and domestic cities like London and Paris. The MSG pillars prevent the widening of platforms, stairways, and escalators so critical to public safety.

https://midtownsouthcc.org/blogs/rethink...ions-and-spares-neighborhood-demolition/

[NYguy]

Originally Posted by Busy Bee

They won't.

They certainly won't. They can talk about it though. The "Koreans" can be forgiven for not understanding how the government works, particularly how local governments work here. As it is, Amtrak (the Feds) only have a say in what happens with Penn Station, which is underground. Everything else happens at the local level.


Meanwhile, this is not surprising....


https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/08/24/r...boondoggle-compromises-its-independence/

RPA sells out to Amtrak: Taking railroad’s money to promote Gateway boondoggle compromises its independence


By New York Daily News Editorial Board
August 24, 2025

The nonprofit Regional Plan Association, long considered a reliable, independent and objective voice — has taken upwards of a million dollars in federal tax money from Amtrak to promote the railway’s Gateway project $50 billion boondoggle, casting anything the group has to say about the future of Penn Station and Gateway in doubt.

The infusion from Amtrak — which we are reporting publicly here for the first time — undermines RPA’s role in helping frame critical debates around land use, transportation, environment and governance. On the controversial fight over Penn and Gateway, the group’s research and reports and statements cannot be trusted by the public and policy makers as critical questions about the future of the area are weighed.

What should happen with Penn Station and Madison Square Garden? Should the alignment of the new Hudson tunnel be an inefficient separate and parallel one to the existing 1910 tunnel or should it be a much smarter straddling of the old line? Does the new tunnel need expensive and outdated technology like bench walls? Why not fix the 1910 tunnel immediately using the proven repair in place method of nights and weekends? We have urged more efficient and effective steps and every time RPA adheres to Amtrak’s extravagant plans. Taking Amtrak’s money means RPA cannot be reliable, independent or objective.

.....Additionally, there is this on the LinkedIn profile of an Amtrak public relations executive:

“Manage approx. $1 million contract with the Regional Plan Association (RPA) to operate the Build Gateway Now Coalition, including original scholarly research illustrating the need for and benefits of the Gateway Program.”

We asked both RPA and Amtrak for the contract and both declined to provide it, Amtrak saying that we should submit a Freedom of Information Act request.

For this congressionally appropriated money Amtrak has purchased the reputation of RPA. RPA President and CEO Tom Wright tells us that RPA’s support for a new rail tunnel goes back decades and RPA has not changed its stand at all. That is correct, but by accepting payment from Amtrak, RPA shifted from being an independent advocate to being a paid lobbyist.
Amtrak selected Wright to lead the Penn Station Working Advisory Group, which means that Amtrak has selected someone who they are treating as their own paid lobbyist.

Amtrak said only: “Amtrak collaborates with a variety of partners on several projects across the country. We will continue to work with partners who share our commitment to safety, efficiency, and reliability, while making the best use of taxpayer investments.”

There have been 24 meetings of the bistate Gateway Development Commission since 2022, when the Amtrak contract with RPA began.

RPA had a person appearing at each of those meetings to speak during the public comment portion to extoll the Gateway project and cheer it on, never once disclosing the fact that Amtrak was paying. We put our questions to RPA on Monday and at Wednesday’s GDC meeting there was no public comment from RPA. We wonder why not.

[ChiND]

It seems that we might know the plan on Wednesday.

[The New York Lion]

As per The White House, the South Koreans are arriving at Noon.

[ChiND]

GPA


GPA