Halmar International was selected to lead a costly redevelopment of Penn Station, with promises including a grand entrance on Eighth Avenue, a new concourse, way-finding improvements, retail, and an updated exterior for Madison Square Garden. Amtrak also indicated limited through-running at the hub. Amtrak officials offered minimal information about how the renovation will be funded or why Halmar was chosen. Amtrak President Roger Harris provided only brief remarks and did not clarify financing at a railroad board meeting. Earlier estimates varied, with a stated $6 billion plan in 2023 and later reporting closer to $8 billion. The lack of major details leaves questions about total cost, who pays, and the project’s overall rationale.
"Halmar International has been selected for the costly Trump-ified revamp of the station - but Amtrak officials have offered little insight into how they plan to fund the renovation of the nation's largest transit hub, let alone any clues as to why Harlmar was selected. Even Amtrak President Roger Harris had nothing to say at the railroad board's monthly meeting on Thursday. "We will shortly be announcing the results of our developer there," was the extent of Harris's comments on what is setting up to be one of the noble - or ignoble - projects in New York history."
"Instead, Amtrak has only said that the Halmar-led project will add a "grand entrance" on Eighth Avenue, a new concourse, way-finding improvements and retail while slapping a new exterior on Madison Square Garden to give it "a classical look," or make it look like a " pseudo-nouveau riche homeowner in Nassau County," in the words of one social media poster. Duffy and company have also promised the addition of "limited" through-running at the hub."
"Despite a small media frenzy surrounding the announcement and its minor details, Amtrak has shared little else, and certainly no major details - leaving a laundry list of questions, such as: 1. What will this cost and who will pay for it? The cost and funding question has loomed over the project since the moment federal Transportation Secretary (and road trip reality show star) Sean Duffy took it over last year, and continues to loom over it now."
"In 2023, ASTM told the public its plan would cost $6 billion, but reporters later pegged its cost at something closer to $8 billion. The Italian conglomerate claimed that by paying for the construction itself, the project would be a win for taxpayers. In reality, the company "
#penn-station-redevelopment #amtrak #project-funding #cost-estimates #new-york-transit-infrastructure
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