http://www.planNYC.org/ PlanNYC | New York City Planning Information Portal en-us ja3n@earthlink.net http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=65#4482 Madison Square Garden (MSG) is moving forward on their renovations plans by hiring a construction firm, Skanska AB, to facilitate pre-construction work and construction management. City and state officials have tried to convince Cablevision, the owners of MSG, not to renovate but to relocate their arena in order for the proposed Moynihan Station project to proceed. The renovations that Skanska will work on include a remake of the front entrance and improvements to the seating, concourses and restrooms. The renovations are expected to be completed by 2011. 2008-07-24 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=65#4315 After several delays and complications have all but killed an earlier plan to redevelop the Farley Post Office building into a new train station and move Madison Square Garden from its existing location above Penn Station to a site adjacent to the Farley building, Vornado Realty Trust has announced a scaled-down plan to redevelop MSG, as well as the Hotel Pennsylvania across the street. The new MSG plan involves removing the theater and creating two new grand entrances to Penn Station on 7th and 8th Avenues. The Hotel Pennsylvania would get a minor renovation, possibly including the addition of three floors of new retail to be connected to the adjacent Manhattan Mall. 2008-06-03 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=65#4244 In a column in the New York Post, Senator Charles Schumer reiterated his suggestion that the development of Moynihan Station and surrounding area should take precedent over the Hudson Yards project. Senator Schumer stated that he believes that both projects are vital to the future of New York, but that it makes more sense for development to start in the Penn Station area, where transportation infrastructure already exists, and then move westward. The senator outlined four steps to moving forward in developing midtown west: transfer control of the Moynihan Station project to the Port Authority, make improvements to Penn Station by moving some of the NJ Transit and Amtrak operations offsite and working with Madison Square Garden to move the WaMu Theater, move forward with the Moynihan Station project by granting it government approval, and rezone the Penn Station area to allow for more building and offer bonuses to companies that invest in transportation infrastructure. 2008-05-19 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=65#4175 The Related Companies and Vornado Realty Trust have asked the city and the state to secure a loan that will finance moving Madison Square Garden to the Farley Post Office site which would allow for the larger project known as Moynihan Station to happen. However, if the Moynihan Station project falls through, the state and the city would be responsible for the costs of the new arena, totaling almost $1 billion. Under this proposal, construction of the new arena could begin soon while final approval for the larger project is still worked out. The Garden remains committed to renovating, not relocating. 2008-05-01 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=65#4051 Talks continue on the future of Moynihan Station despite the major setback that Madison Square Garden will renovate their facilities instead of relocating. Those familiar with the negotiation process have said that Moynihan Station could still become a reality even without the Garden relocating. A rezoning is still needed to make the project happen, however, newly-seated Governor David Patterson has yet to focus much attention on the project. 2008-04-04 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=65#4032 Madison Square Garden, the second oldest NBA and NHL arena, announced plans for interior renovations that will reconfigure many of the concourses, lobbies, entrances, seating and concessions. According to executives from the Garden, the renovation work, totaling $500 million, can be done through building permits and does not need further public and city approval. With renovation on the horizon, plans for Moynihan Station are looking dim considering that the development is contingent on the Garden relocating. 2008-04-03 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=65#4024 Various stakeholders involved in the Moynihan Station project are unsure how serious Jim Dolan, owner of Madison Square Garden is, on renovating the arena. Some speculate that Dolan is just using political maneuvers to put himself in a better position if and when discussion on Moynihan Station resume. If he does stick to his renovation plans, he must receive City Council approval. That could be difficult considering that Speaker Christine Quinn supports the Moynihan Station project and released a terse statement against the Dolan’s decision to renovate. 2008-04-01 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=65#4005 One day after Madison Square Garden’s announcement that it would be renovating its current space rather than waiting for the Moynihan Station project to move ahead, City officials are expressing optimism that they may be able to persuade the Garden to rethink its decision. 2008-03-29 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=65#3978 The Dolan Family, owners of Madison Square Garden, announced that they will be renovating the current stadium instead of pursuing options to relocate. As part of the plan to expand and renovate the Pennsylvania Train Station, located below the Garden, the stadium will have to be moved. Some believe that the announcement was a ploy to further the Dolan’s position in the ongoing negotiations. The Garden agreed to relocate in 2005 but have become increasingly frustrated by the slow pace that the development plans have progressed. The pace has been set by a complicated negotiation process that involved many different parties, the slowing economy, and the lack of public financing. In recent weeks, there have been talks about having the Port Authority involved in the Moynihan Station project because they have the financially backing and expertise to do the work. 2008-03-28 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=65#3779 Sources are reporting that the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey may help to fill the $1 billion funding gap for the Pennsylvania Station redevelopment project. The project is estimated to cost roughly $2.3 billion, with funds coming from the developers, Vornado Realty Trust and Related Companies, and the city and state government. A representative from the Port Authority declined to comment. 2008-02-14 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=65#3218 Governor Spitzer announced his plan for Moynihan Station, the new Madison Square Garden and the surrounding area. The plan includes moving the Garden to the old Farley Post office, building two new skyscrapers, and creating a major retail hub in the renovated Penn Station. The state’s plan also proposed rezoning the area for commercial and residential development, and creating 4.3 million square feet of transferable development rights. 2007-10-23 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=65#3208 The state is expected to release the "draft scope of an environmental impact statement" today for the remake of Pennsylvania Station. Many believe that the state has been working to develop a cohesive plan for the project that involves many different interests, including Amtrak, the MTA, New Jersey Transit, the developers, Madison Square Garden, the city and the surrounding community. The release of the EIS is the first public action for Governor Spitzer's administration on the project. The current proposal would move the Garden to the old Farley Post Office and disperse new development throughout the area. 2007-10-22 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=65#3185 The owners of Madison Square Garden have stipulated that they must be able to make major alterations to the James A. Farley Post Office building before they agree to move the Garden to the building's western section. Since the Post Office is landmarked, certain changes could put its tax credit status in danger. The National Park Service has yet to assess the impact of the proposed modifications. The Empire State Development Corp. (ESDC) is currently working on a supplemental environmental impact statement for the plan. 2007-10-16 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=65#1875 Vornado has closed on its acquisition of Manhattan Mall on Sixth Avenue for $689 million dollars. Vornado also owns the Pennsylvania Hotel across the street and a large portion of the office space in nearby Penn Plaza. Vornado is one of the developers involved in plans to redevelop Madison Square Gardens and the Farley Post Office into Moynihan Station. 2007-01-11 00:00:00 http://www.plannyc.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Issues&file=index&catid=1&issueid=65#1740 Stephen Ross, a major real estate developer, has predicted that construction will soon begin on a plan that involves building a new Madison Square Garden inside the Farley Post Office building, renovating Penn Station, and erecting office towers in the surrounding area. Pataki administration officials say that Mr. Ross's projections are wildly optimistic. The administration is hoping to revive the plan to convert the Post Office building into a train station. 2006-11-30 00:00:00