Opponents of Controversial Penn Station Mega-Towers Deal Rally to Stop Plan Ahead of Final State Vote

NEW YORK, NY (07/14/2022) (readMedia)-- Rally follows letter from elected officials representing Penn Station calling for State to delay vote on plan

Trains Before Towers – a movement supported by community residents, housing and transit advocates, and local business owners – will rally on Thursday, calling on lawmakers to stop the plan to build 10 new massive towers around Penn Station. The rally will take place a week ahead of Empire State Development Corporation's (ESD) final vote to approve the controversial real estate deal. Federal, state and local elected officials called for the State to halt the plan this week, pointing out that many questions remain about the project's necessity and financing.

Despite serious, unanswered concerns raised by New York City's Independent Budget Office, the New York City Planning Commission and nearly every State Senator representing the five boroughs, the Empire State Development Corporation plans to vote on approvals for 18 million square feet of new skyscrapers next week. The plan, which would usurp City land use authority, would enrich billionaire Steve Roth of Vornado without any guarantees the scheme would adequately fund transit improvements at Penn Station. Roth is also a major donor to Gov. Kathy Hochul's campaign.