Checking in with a plan to add a record amount of development space to New York City, championed by the beleaguered governor of New York.
"Even amid multiple scandals, a weakened Gov. Andrew Cuomo is trying to railroad through a city-changing land deal that would reshape Manhattan’s skyline," report Josefa Velasquez and Rachel Holliday Smith.
The governor first proposed the plan in question, called the Empire Station Complex plan, in 2016, but the idea has gained momentum in 2021. Still, Gov. Cuomo faces one big obstacle for the plan in getting a $1.3 billion bond deal to fund the project through the New York State legislature.
Gov. Cuomo's push is hinging on "an almost irresistible carrot," according to the article: "the dream of finally fixing everyone’s least favorite transit hub — Penn Station."
The project would include the development of ten large buildings, according to the article, by 2038 in an area dubbed "The Penn District." One of the buildings, called Penn 15, would be comparable to the size of the Empire State Building, according to early project renderings. In all, the development would add 20 million square feet of development—larger than the record-breaking 18-million square feet of development added by the Hudson Yards development.
The article reporting the status of the Empire Station Complex plan is presented in context of an ongoing controversy about Gov. Cuomo's conduct toward women while in office.
FULL STORY: Embattled Cuomo Pushes Skyline-Altering Penn Station Real Estate Plan as Critics Mobilize
Massive Empire Station Complex Project to Revamp Penn Station Area Moves Forward
The proposed Empire Station Complex project would link an upgraded Penn Station, the newly opened Moynihan Train Hall, and a tentative new terminal one block south of Penn Station.
Massive, Expensive Redevelopment of Midtown Manhattan Proposed
New York Governor Cuomo's State of the State speeches last week included an ambitious proposal for a large-scale redevelopment project on Manhattan's west side, adjacent to Penn Station.
Breaking News: Leadership Change at New York MTA
Andy Byford has resigned as president of the New York City Transit Authority, after building a track record that includes ridership and service improvements on the troubled MTA subway system.
New Study Ranks the Urban Heat Island Effect in U.S. Cities
A new analysis by Climate Central evaluates the intensity of urban heat islands in cities around the United States—New Orleans tops the list.
The Most Complete Map of U.S. Pedestrian Risk Yet
New research published by the Journal of Transport and Land Use analyzes tens of thousands of pedestrian fatalities over 16 years in the United States.
The Freeway Removal Cause Gains Momentum—But Don't Forget Gentrification and Displacement
The case for freeway in urban areas isn't as unequivocal as it might seem. Plans to undo the damage of the legacies of past freeway planning need to ensure an inclusive future.
Ascent Environmental
Ascent Environmental
Brailsford & Dunlavey
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Harvard University Graduate School of Design - Executive Education
City of Greensburg
City of Flagstaff
Zhongshan Municipal Bureau of Natural Resources
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Hand Drawing Master Plans
This course aims to provide an introduction into Urban Design Sketching focused on how to hand draw master plans using a mix of colored markers.