New York is moving forward with an “unprecedented” $3 billion project to redevelop the iconic Penn Station.
Governor Andrew Cuomo has revealed a series of artist impressions showing a brand new above-ground concourse within the James A. Farley Post Office building, which sits across the road from Madison Square 
Garden – the site of the original station.
The Empire Station Complex will be financed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and construction could begin later this year, Governor Cuomo announced. Several design options will be considered.
Built in 1910, the original Penn Station building was demolished in the 1960s as a result of rising maintenance costs. The current underground station was designed to handle 200,000 passengers a day. Currently, more than 650,000 passengers move through the station every day.
Governor Cuomo said: “Penn Station is the heart of New York’s economy and transportation network, but it has been outdated, overcrowded, and unworthy of the Empire State for far too long.
“We want to build Penn Station to be better than it ever was, and that is exactly what we are going to do. This proposal will fundamentally transform Penn Station for the 21st century, and we are excited to move forward with the project in the days to come.”
Work is already underway beneath the Farley Building to construct a lower concourse and connections to the subway and Penn Station. This is due to be completed in the autumn.
In 2013, the Municipal Art Society of New York (MAS) published several design concepts for a new Penn Station. The competition was run following the expiration of a 50-year permit held by Madison Square Garden for the world-famous venue.
