Editor’s note: Will Donald Trump make Penn Station ‘beautiful’ again as promised?

President Donald Trump vows to “Make America Great Again.” But can he make Penn Station “beautiful” again, as promised in a phone conversation with Gov. Kathy Hochul last year? Advocates who want the decrepit transit hub redeveloped on a scale that rivals the original demolished in 1963 have expressed optimism that the incoming administration will favor their approach. This includes a “through-running” redesign allowing trains to continue in one direction after unloading passengers, as opposed to backing out of the station. The state’s current redevelopment plan backed by the railroads that use the station does not include through-running. Instead, it demolishes a block south of the station for an expansion to handle the additional volume of trains expected once the Gateway Tunnel project under the Hudson River is completed.

“Early indications are that the Trump administration and his new Department of Transportation intend to be actively engaged in Penn Station and Gateway matters, a potentially $50 billion infrastructure project, one of the largest in history,” said Sam Turvey, chair of the advocacy group Rethink Penn Station NYC. Turvey said the Federal Rail Administration favors through-running and is expected to be “taking a firmer hand for this project.” “Of equal importance, Trump told Hochul that he supports a ‘beautiful’ Penn Station,” he said. The current redevelopment plan increases ceiling heights and lighting into the station by opening up its taxi way and covering it with a glass shed. The plan also adds ADA-accessible entrances at the Eighth Avenue street corners. It’s a no-frills, uninspired approach, say advocates, who now hope the returning president will give it his Trumpian touch.