Governor Paterson, Senator Schumer And Amtrak President Joe Boardman Announce General Agreement On The Future Of Moynihan Station

Press Release

Path Cleared for Final Planning and Design of Long-Awaited New Train Station

Governor David A. Paterson, Senator Charles Schumer and Amtrak President Joe Boardman today announced that months of intensive negotiations have resulted in a general agreement and mutual understanding on the basic terms and conditions that will lead to the redevelopment of New York City's historic Farley Post Office Building into a new intercity passenger train station and center for most of Amtrak's New York City service. This agreement, the terms of which will be finalized as soon as possible and memorialized in a Memorandum of Understanding, will allow for final planning, design and financing efforts to proceed on the long hoped for dream of Moynihan Station.

"I am extremely pleased to announce that an understanding has been reached between New York State and Amtrak on the future of Moynihan Station. New York City is the lynchpin of Amtrak's service network in the Northeastern United States, and I welcome this long-term partnership with Amtrak to preserve and enhance the role of rail in New York State and across the region. This project has been a top priority of my Administration, and today is an important step toward delivering on its promise."

Senator Charles E. Schumer said: "This is a critical step forward in the effort to get the Moynihan Station back on track and keep it that way until it's done. Amtrak has truly stepped up the plate here to make a commitment to Senator Moynihan's vision to transform the Farley Post office in to a world class gateway to New York City."

Amtrak CEO and President Joe Boardman said: "This mutual understanding developed between the parties will the help lead to the development of a world-class passenger station for Amtrak service in New York City and commits all of us to the long-range task of expanding rail and terminal capacity so that Amtrak and the regional commuter operators can collectively meet the growing needs for passenger train service in New York and throughout the Northeast. The building of Moynihan Station will provide the grand entrance that this great city deserves."

More than fifteen years ago, the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan envisioned transforming the historic McKim, Mead & White designed Farley Post Office Building into a new intercity passenger rail station that would be a grand gateway to New York City and replace the original Penn Station, which was razed in 1963.

The project announced today will provide for the relocation of Amtrak services to a new train hall to be constructed in the Farley Building, and also creates a partnership between New York State and Amtrak to plan for the long-term future of the station complex and the New York City intercity and regional rail network.

Pennsylvania Station is the busiest rail station in North America, with roughly 25% of all Amtrak passengers passing through Penn Station at some point on their journey. Rail ridership is projected to rise considerably in the coming years and station, terminal and track capacity must be expanded to meet these needs.

The terms of the agreement will be finalized in the coming weeks and memorialized in a Memorandum of Understanding.

Source