Plans for a new Penn Station and Madison Square Garden at the historic Farley Post Office building remain as murky as ever. But a recent poll undertaken by the Municipal Art Society (MAS) suggests that Penn Station commuters overwhelmingly favor the prospect of a grand new train station--but they need more information. If and when the project proceeds, who will keep watch over the three mega-developers (the state-run ESDC, along with private companies Related Group and Vornado Realty Trust) to make sure the new-generation Station and Garden turn out better than the last one?
MAS is one of the only groups so far to organize an public advocacy campaign to influence the redevelopment process. Just how this campaign will work is unclear, but the opening shot may be seen at the New Penn Station website. Gothamist checks in with MAS President Kent Barwick, a 40-year advocate for enlightened city planning in New York, about the new initiative.
How important is the outcome of this project to the future of New York, compared to other large projects on your radar?
This is probably the most important transportation project on the agenda of New York, and has the most promise for the future. We think the redevelopment of Penn Station as Senator Moynihan envisioned will be the greatest catalyst to the Far West Side. It is as important to the development of the West Side as Grand Central Terminal was to Midtown.
Among the public agencies, elected officials, and private developers, who wields most control of this project?
We hope the authority resides with the Governor. It's a public-private partnership, and requires the cooperation of lots of agencies. But the most important player is the State of New York.
How should the public get involved in order to have a voice in the planning process?
Our poll showed there was not as much knowledge as one would have thought. The public cannot really be involved until the government shows us what the plan is. We insist the plan be made public and reviewed by the public before the major decisions are made.
