The Task

In 2020, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced an initiative to create the Pennsylvania Station Area Civic and Land Use Improvement Project (formerly the Empire Station Complex), an integrated public transportation complex that would revitalize New York’s Penn Station area. The Pennsylvania Station Area Civic and Land Use Improvement Project would create a modernized, transit-oriented commercial district, integrate the recently opened Moynihan Train Hall, and support a reimagined and expanded Penn Station. As part of a project team led by AKRF, Public Works is providing support with logistics, coordination, and staffing for the public-facing components of the Pennsylvania Station Area Civic and Land Use Improvement Project’s Environmental Review.

Our Strategy

• Facilitated a transition from physical in-person meetings to remote meetings to ensure accessible and safe public meetings in spite of the pandemic
• Developed and maintained public-facing instructional materials to promote robust and equitable participation in the public review process

Project Impact & Outcome

• Over 230 community members, advocates, and commuters who rely on Penn Station attended the public scoping meeting in July 2020, with over 40 providing public comments.
• A virtual public review meeting for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement will be held in 2021.