Hochul Backs Cuomo’s Penn Station Pet Project And Midtown Mega Project, With A Twist

Governor Kathy Hochul wants to push forward a redesign of New York Penn Station and the blocks surrounding the commuter hub—putting her own signature on the project.

Hochul wants light, lots of it.

Like her predecessor, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, Hochul wants wants to remove the station's Amtrak waiting room. And she wants add a skylight, bigger than the one at Moynihan train hall.

When riders walk out of the station, they’ll be surrounded by 8 acres of public outdoor space, with benches. Cuomo’s plan called for just a slim sliver of green between buildings.

Like Cuomo, Hochul still wants to build several office towers, but slightly smaller ones, to help pay for the project through real estate fees.

Her plan is expected to cost at least $7 billion dollars.

And she wants to rename the station after a New Yorker, though she didn’t say which one.