Heavyweight Fight Brewing Over Future of Madison Square Garden

The "World's Most Famous Arena" has seen many title fights in its day. But a looming decision about the renewal of the venue's special permit, and the future of Penn Station, has New York's political and real estate heavyweights entering the ring.

1 minute read

April 9, 2013, 7:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


"After decades of complaints about increasingly cramped conditions in Penn Station, a loose coalition of civic groups, transit advocates and political leaders is gaining traction in its efforts to force the Garden to move so that the station down in its basement can expand," reports Matt Chaban. "In recent weeks, an effort to limit the permit to 10 years has been embraced by a group snowballing in size, ranging from The New York Times editorial page to Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and some powerful builders."

"This heavyweight bout pits the Dolans, owners of the Garden, against the Bloomberg administration for the second time in a decade, with the final round likely to take place in the summer, when the permit application finally comes before the City Council for a decision."

Sunday, April 7, 2013 in Crain's New York Business

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