Will New York City Evict Madison Square Garden?: In a 47-1 vote, the New York City Council limited Madison Square Garden's permit at its current location above Penn Station to 10 years. The operators of the facility that houses the Knicks and Rangers, presently undergoing a $1 billion renovation, want a license to stay there in perpetuity, but many civic groups believe the site is needed to expand and modernize the train station. "Now is time to get to work and build the Penn Station that New York City and the region desperately need in order to improve transit access and spur economic growth in the city and throughout the region," said the New Penn Station Alliance.
This is already the 4th or so MSG, so the relocation should be relatively painless except for the ticket holders.
posted by Scottymac at 02:20 PM on July 27, 2013
It's OK to tell Spike Lee to continue to show up at 8th and 33rd after they relocate.
posted by beaverboard at 05:51 PM on July 27, 2013
Having lived in northern New Jersey, and taken the train often to Penn Station, trains do get backed up as they come into the station - especially for New Jersey trains as there's just one tunnel under the Hudson (and the tunnel as part of the Access to the Region's Core plan was cancelled) - I partially understand.
I have, however, rarely seen the station jam-packed, though crowded, even at rush hour; much of the station is occupied by commercial stores. Any expansion would occur underground; I cannot see building a new mega-billion-dollar MSG - especially after its renovation - just to allow work to progress underground.
posted by jjzucal at 01:27 PM on July 27, 2013