Moynihan Train Hall Construction Begins Next Year

Moynihan Train Hall Construction Begins Next Year

Governor Cuomo’s commitment to create the long-awaited Moynihan Station in the landmark Farley Post Office is showing results. Moynihan Station officials and architects from Skidmore Owings and Merrill briefed the Conservancy and other groups on November 21 on the next phase of construction as “Phase One” nears completion.

“Phase Two” includes constructing the train hall, highlighted by a glass canopy and the original trusses, and minor changes to the exterior of the landmark Farley Building. Construction is slated to begin in the first quarter of 2017.

Officials also held a public hearing November 2 to review modifications to the General Project Plan in anticipation of Phase Two. Among the key features: The Farley tenant will be a new special purpose entity owned by subsidiaries of Vornado Realty Trust and Related Companies. LIRR and Amtrak will be the principal railroads using Moynihan and each will have a substantial presence in Farley. The plan also contains commitments to preserve and restore certain key components of the Farley building including the retail post office space, interior facades of the courtyard and many other features.

The Farley Annex will be used largely as office and commercial space on the ground floor. The agreement stipulates that there will be no “big box” retail. A new public concourse will connect the new Train Hall to Ninth Avenue and a north-south concourse will connect 33rd and 34th Streets.Vornado and Related were recently re-selected as developers of the project using plans SOM developed for the State. Governor Cuomo re-opened the process last January announcing design plans for Moynihan as well as a range of possible improvements to Penn Station. Phase One of Moynihan Station is almost complete, including underground work to tracks and platforms and two new street level entrances on Eighth Avenue. The Conservancy has supported a new train hall in Farley since it was first announced in 1992. We also support Phase Two plans as presented last week and the recent General Project Plan modifications.

Written by the nylandmarks.org