Office Towers Nixed From Penn Plan, Gov Kicks Off Redesign Process

MIDTOWN, NY — Farewell office towers, for now.

Governor Hochul announced today alongside Rep. Jerry Nadler and local elected officials that the plan to fix the notoriously dank tunnel system known as Penn Station will begin to proceed.

The Gov. is greasing the train wheels by ditching the controversial $13 billion Vornado office tower plan that would have helped fund the project by redeveloping a huge area surrounding the station — for now.

"We're no longer tolerating delays," Hochul said at a Monday press conference as protesters loudly shouted in the background.

"Penn Station is this hemisphere's busiest transit hub, and New Yorkers deserve a world-class experience when they come to this station," Hochul said. "New Yorkers know my feelings, I've not been shy talking about how this is inferior."

The biggest change is that the Penn Station Master Plan, the name of the station redesign project, is being "decoupled" from the larger Vornado development project of 10 huge skyscrapers that would have helped subsidize the station.

Many criticized the plan, calling it a handout to the deep-pocketed developers that would have destroyed the surrounding neighborhood. Today's announcement included Hochul conceding that while the demand is not currently there to support the construction of the towers, the full redevelopment plan could proceed in the future.

What is not entirely clear is where the $7 billion to pay for the redesign will come from now that the big office towers are out of the picture for now.

Hochul said that the state is already committed to spending at least $1.3 billion and is applying for various federal funding as well. But the lack of totally secured funding, she said, can't hold up the process.