New York's train station to get $8B remodel with columns, sunlight and Trump's name

Key Points:

• Manhattan's original Pennsylvania Station, a grand Beaux-Arts train terminal demolished in 1963, is set to be reimagined with a new $8 billion design featuring a grand facade, soaring ceilings, and ornamental details inspired by historic New York landmarks.
• The redesign, led by architect Vishaan Chakrabarti and backed by Amtrak and Penn Transformation Partners, aims to restore the station's status as a major city landmark while keeping Madison Square Garden in place, though a theater above the tracks would be demolished.
• Construction is planned to start before the end of 2027 and will proceed in phases over about six years without closing the station, which serves over 600,000 commuters daily, more than the combined traffic of NYC's three major airports.
• Transit advocates have expressed concerns about the lack of public input and transparency, emphasizing the need to avoid costly disruptions or projects that do not prioritize transit services.
• Amtrak’s special adviser Andy Byford assured no fare increases would fund the project and denied plans for government property condemnation, promising more detailed information as the project advances through federal environmental reviews.