Port Authority Bus Terminal Will Get a Tower

The low-slung Port Authority bus terminal will be getting a heady addition: The Port Authority will announce a deal for a tower to be built at its north end.

The NY Times reports that Lawrence Ruben Company and Vornado Realty Trust is buying air rights for $400-500 million, which the Port Authority will then be used to add 18 bus platforms, give the terminal a "major face-lift" and overall refurbishing. Well, finally - commuting to and from NJ via the Port Authority is depressing. It's fine for other bus travelers who aren't there on a regular basis, but the Port Authority can be really depressing if you're taking the NJ Transit or Shortline buses everyday. (Penn Station, while not fun, is at least brighter - and the NJ Transit area was renovated.)

A Port Authority spokesperson said, "We’ve been working very hard to reach an agreement that leverages substantial private money to reinvest for the benefit of our customers, the neighborhood and the region." And it seems that the agency was quick to seize on the "Across from the Port Authority Bus Terminal" real estate fever: Back in February, one real estate executive said, "The new southern terminus of the acceptable business district has been established."

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By Jen Chung in News on November 30, 2007 9:52 AM

Comments [rss]

zbruno

O please, no amount of money or an extra bus platforms is going to magically transform that heap of iron and grime, where a large portion of the worlds' miscriants and bad-tempered highschool-dropouts work, into a place that's more convenient or pleasurable for bus riders.

the_herman

They should build the new MSG over the Port Authroity Bus Terminal - Its a way better idea then destroying the Farley Post Office & Penn Station

tsol

They need to tear the Port Authority down and replace it with something more clean and welcoming and easy to get around, like a tar pit.

Aveais Essex

wah! stale bum! panhandling! stinky stuff that makes me sniffle!

You guys are fucking soft. I hope to god you don't actually live in NY and are just visiting Gothamist to flame (and to connect with a place that you wish you lived…not that you’d admit it). Somehow though, I doubt it.

samsamsam

smh: True! Though maybe the deal includes an obligation for the P.A. cops to start doing something about the panhandling, etc?

ed_Extinct

anything to make that shitty building appear better.

Peter

The NJ Transit area of Penn Station has been nicely renovated, but the LIRR section exudes the charm of a junior high school locker room during a janitor's strike.