Refurbishing Penn Station, or at least thinking about it (Amtrak, area)

[nybbler]

Madison Square Garden has refused to move. Most of the plan is pretty much pie in the sky; there seems to be a lot of pressure behind Moynihan station (in the post office), but not a lot of movement.

[Mightyqueen801]

Originally Posted by nybbler

Madison Square Garden has refused to move. Most of the plan is pretty much pie in the sky; there seems to be a lot of pressure behind Moynihan station (in the post office), but not a lot of movement.

I think that will go forward. Stuff's going on.

Friends of Moynihan Station

[joshd9124]

Originally Posted by Kefir King

Although most of Penn Station is ghastly, I had occasion to go into the NJTansit portion (on the South end I believe.) It is pretty spiffy looking.
Take a peek next time you're in the station.


But as ugly as Penn Station is, Madison ROUND Garden is even uglier.

I went to a Knicks game this past season and was pleasantly surprised of how much nice the lower levels are now, the top levels still look ugly though but they should be renovated within like 2 years

[Kefir King]

Originally Posted by barkomatic

So, the plan to renovate the post Office into a train station would move forward, but in addition to that the old Beaux Arts Penn Station that was torn down to build MSG would be recreated East of the Post Office? Then, there would be two train station buildings?

And despite what they SAY, the Post Office would be destroyed.

[nybbler]

Originally Posted by Kefir King

And despite what they SAY, the Post Office would be destroyed.

"Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." ... but an oncoming train is something else entirely :-)

[agw123]

How about they worry about getting the trains moving ontime without a myraid of issues before we spend money on gloryifying a basement.

NJT and LIRR always blame Amtrak for Penn signal/tunnel/power issues which perhaps rightfully so since Amtrak owns the tunnels and the station.

[skilldeadly]

Originally Posted by agw123

How about they worry about getting the trains moving ontime without a myraid of issues before we spend money on gloryifying a basement.

NJT and LIRR always blame Amtrak for Penn signal/tunnel/power issues which perhaps rightfully so since Amtrak owns the tunnels and the station.

Penn is a nightmare. It's just a homeless den filled with tourists and ugly outdated areas. NJ Transit area is nice but they could do away with the whole thing and try something that actually looks nice.

NJT and LIRR never seem to be on time because of what you listed. Time for a seperate area for LIRR and NJT.

[Fred314X]

Originally Posted by nybbler

Madison Square Garden has refused to move.

You'd think they might acknowledge their own history. The original Madison Square Garden was established at (NEWSFLASH!) Madison Square--where Broadway crosses Fifth Avenue at 23 Street. It's been moving around since the end of the 19th century. First to 8 Avenue/50 Street, then to its current location.

The main reason why I'd be against moving the Garden now is because of the original sacrilege committed when Penn Station was torn down to permit its construction. That completely irreplaceable building would have been demolished for nothing.

[nybbler]

Originally Posted by agw123

NJT and LIRR always blame Amtrak for Penn signal/tunnel/power issues which perhaps rightfully so since Amtrak owns the tunnels and the station.

The problem is the North River tunnels are over 100 years old and run at full capacity during the morning and evening. The Portal Bridge isn't in better shape. There's plans to replace the bridge and add a tunnel, but I wouldn't hold my breath for completion.

[Brookboy]

Originally Posted by Kefir King

Although most of Penn Station is ghastly, I had occasion to go into the NJTansit portion (on the South end I believe.) It is pretty spiffy looking.
Take a peek next time you're in the station.


But as ugly as Penn Station is, Madison ROUND Garden is even uglier.

FYI: The ugly MSG you describe is actually the fourth rendition of that sports arena. The original was built in 1879 on Madison Avenue and 26th Street, which is one corner of Madison Square Park (which is still there and is currently the home of the original Shake Shack). The original MSG was rebuilt in 1890, again in Madison Square.

In 1925 that MSG closed and moved to Eighth Avenue between 49th and 50th Streets (where Worldwide Plaza now stands). Those of us of a certain age have wonderful memories of that great and glorious sports venue. Alas, it finally came down in 1968, when the current version was built where it still sits.

So its name is not descriptive, rather, it is historical. But you are correct that it is a pretty ugly building.