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Well, reaction pouring in tonight to news that the Trump administration will be taking over the Penn Station reconstruction project
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Fox 5's Antoine Lewis spoke with one of the groups that's drafted a redesign proposal for the beleaguered train station
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That's a big challenge. It's a New York challenge. And now we have the chance to do it right
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Alexandros Washburn is chief architect for the Grand Penn Community Alliance. The alliance has submitted a proposal for the redesign of Penn Station
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On Thursday, federal transportation officials announced that Amtrak, backed by USDOT, will now lead the $7 billion reconstruction project
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Washburn says the positive impacts are not limited to just modernizing transit for commuters
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And for every $10 billion of value we bring in, we bring in a billion dollars a year of real estate taxes
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Those taxes go in to make the city even better, fix parks, support schools
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As these renderings show, Washburn's team envisions a Penn Station that includes soaring indoor spaces at least 18 feet high
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a public green space the size of Bryant Park, and the moving of Madison Square Garden across 7th Avenue
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to maximize train access to events at the world's most famous arena
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The original Penn Station opened to much fanfare in 1910, heralded as a classically designed and opulent jewel of Midtown Manhattan that was above ground
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In 1963, it was torn down to make way for the garden and the Penn Station that we now know
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When they decided to tear down the old station because we thought that rail travel was going away
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that we would all just fly everywhere. No, rail travel is here. It's bigger, better than ever
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And as the feds are considering several bids to return Penn Station to its former glory
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Washburn is relieved that the makeover appears to be full speed ahead
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It's an asset that will change everything in Midtown Manhattan. Antoine Lewis, Fox 5 News
