End of the Line for Penn Station? A Trump Official Calls for a New Name.
Key Points:
- The Trump administration has officially prioritized renaming Pennsylvania Station in New York City, as stated by Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy in a letter to Senate committee leaders.
- The letter did not specify the proposed new name, but President Trump had previously mentioned that people suggested renaming the station after him.
- The Department of Transportation took control of the $7-8 billion Penn Station renovation project last year, with Amtrak selecting Penn Transformation Partners as the master developer.
- Mr. Duffy requested Congress to authorize an additional $1 billion grant for the station's design and renovation, alongside increased railroad funding and legislation to allow Amtrak to collect payments from surrounding property developers.
- Current redevelopment plans include a grand new entrance and interior features bearing Trump's name, but do not explicitly indicate a station renaming; Amtrak's project manager Andy Byford is unconcerned about the name change and expects construction to start before the end of next year.