0:00
Well, reaction pouring in tonight to news that the Trump administration will be taking over the Penn Station reconstruction project
0:06
Fox 5's Antoine Lewis spoke with one of the groups that's drafted a redesign proposal for the beleaguered train station
0:12
That's a big challenge. It's a New York challenge. And now we have the chance to do it right
0:19
Alexandros Washburn is chief architect for the Grand Penn Community Alliance. The alliance has submitted a proposal for the redesign of Penn Station
0:26
On Thursday, federal transportation officials announced that Amtrak, backed by USDOT, will now lead the $7 billion reconstruction project
0:36
Washburn says the positive impacts are not limited to just modernizing transit for commuters
0:41
And for every $10 billion of value we bring in, we bring in a billion dollars a year of real estate taxes
0:48
Those taxes go in to make the city even better, fix parks, support schools
0:53
As these renderings show, Washburn's team envisions a Penn Station that includes soaring indoor spaces at least 18 feet high
1:01
a public green space the size of Bryant Park, and the moving of Madison Square Garden across 7th Avenue
1:07
to maximize train access to events at the world's most famous arena
1:11
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
1:20
In 1963, it was torn down to make way for the garden and the Penn Station that we now know
1:26
When they decided to tear down the old station because we thought that rail travel was going away
1:32
that we would all just fly everywhere. No, rail travel is here. It's bigger, better than ever
1:38
And as the feds are considering several bids to return Penn Station to its former glory
1:43
Washburn is relieved that the makeover appears to be full speed ahead
1:47
It's an asset that will change everything in Midtown Manhattan. Antoine Lewis, Fox 5 News