"Trains Before Towers" Responds to Governor Hochul's Announcement to Open RFP for Penn Station

Coalition of Transit Activists, Community Residents + Small Biz Owners Urge Lawmakers to Stop Massive Giveaway to Billionaire Donor Steve Roth

NEW YORK, NY (06/09/2022) (readMedia)-- Trains Before Towers – a new initiative supported by community residents, housing and transit advocates, and local business owners – responded to Governor Hochul's announcement at Moynihan Station this morning to open a RFP for upgrades to Penn Station. The plan, which would usurp City authority, would enrich Steve Roth of Vornado by allowing for new massive office towers at the site, without any guarantees the scheme would fund transit improvements. Despite the financial and numerous other deficiencies with the plan, New York's Empire State Development says it will vote on the plan in a matter of weeks.

"It makes no sense that Governor Hochul would start an expensive process to redesign Penn without agreements from key stakeholders, an approved transportation plan, or any guaranteed funding for the project. Rather than pursuing this dog-and-pony show for a much-needed new Penn Station, Governor Hochul needs to stop the Steve Roth plan to build 10 megatowers around Penn Station, which will devastate the neighborhood and enrich a massive donor to the governor's campaign at the expense of New Yorkers and the millions who commute through Penn Station every year. The Roth plan is a runaway train that will take our transportation system off the rails and leave taxpayers on the hook for the damage done," said Sam Turvey, co-coordinator of Empire Station Coalition.

Last month, the City's Independent Budget Office released a report, raising serious questions about the financial viability of the project and whether there were enough details to gauge the plan's impact. A majority of the city's Senate delegation have voiced opposition to the plan, as have good government groups including Common Cause, Reinvent Albany, BetaNYC, League of Women Voters, Tri-State Transportation Campaign and NYPIRG.

About Trains Before Towers

TBT is a coalition of community organizations, transit advocacy groups, preservation organizations, affordable housing advocacy groups, and good government organizations dedicated to improving the transit infrastructure at Penn Station.