Trump administration takes over $7B reconstruction project for NYC's Penn Station

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Independent/AP

Friday 18 April 2025 00:39 BST


President Donald Trump's administration is taking control of the $7 billion reconstruction project for New York City's busy but aging Penn Station, sidelining the city's mass transit agency, the transportation chief said Thursday. State and city officials have sought for years to remake the country’s busiest rail hub, which is beleaguered by problems ranging from aging tracks to dreary commuter passageways.

Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said his agency could deliver a world-class Penn Station by working with Amtrak, the federally chartered railroad company that owns the midtown Manhattan hub. Duffy said he was withdrawing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority as lead for the reconstruction project.

“New York City deserves a Penn Station that reflects America’s greatness and is safe and clean. The MTA’s history of inefficiency, waste, and mismanagement also meant that a new approach is needed," Duffy said in a prepared release.

Gov. Kathy Hochul called the move “a major victory for New Yorkers” that would save them tax money. Hochul said she had asked Trump for federal funding.

Read more: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/penn-station-amtrak-new-york-trump-kathy-hochul-b2735492.html

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And then they will (completely) "privatize" Amtrak and away it all goes.

[Scrivener7]

1. There goes the Penn Station reconstruction project.

[C_U_L8R]

2. Oh great, another shitty Trump building in NYC

Trump Station. A gilded temple glorifying the orange false god.

[no_hypocrisy]

3. Here's the Plan:

1. Slow down or prematurely stop the reconstruction of Penn Station/Amtrak.

2. Sell Amtrak to a private purchaser without the PP having to invest any of its money towards Penn Station.

[Buddyzbuddy]

4. The money will be gone and the project will not be completed.

It's the Republican M.O. and more importantly it's the Felon's M.O..

[Renew Deal]

5. How much of the project is really left?

Wasn’t that project announced many years ago? The image in the story is from 2017. And why is Hochul cheering on Trump taking it over?

[BumRushDaShow]

7. It seemed that a lot of focus

and federal funding, was put on the Hudson Tunnel Project, with the station renovation stuff going on in the background.

I stumbled on this - https://www.cityclubny.org/post/city-club-statement-on-train-capacity-at-penn-station

That describes some "background" that included feasibility studies for expanding the station, so it seems like it was considered a lower priority thing - at least by the elected officials in the state associated with where the station is.

(as a sidenote and past frequent Amtrak user, I have been through there multiple times (last trip through there was 2010 on the way to Stamford, CT), although never got off there to wander around the station )

[Lonestarblue]

6. How many of Trump's shell companies will secretly get huge contracts for their shoddy construction?

He has over 500. Why? Shell companies should be illegal. And business dealings involving our money should be transparent. But this is Trump and his minions looking at how to steal even more taxpayer money.

[BumRushDaShow]

8. Biden had the Dept. of Treasury enact regulations about these phony "shell companies"

And of course guess what happened next?

Treasury ends enforcement of business ownership database meant to stop shell company formation

(from March 3, 2025)

I remember a bunch of years ago when Michael Cohen was testifying in a Congressional Committee hearing related to the "hush money" case and his describing creation of a "shell company" that would be associated with a HELOC that he took out to basically become the payee of the money to Stormy Daniels (IIRC). Then 45 reimbursed him over a 12/13 month period with the phony excuse of paying a "retainer for legal services" or whatever.

[Paladin]

9. Yet another trump monetization project.

How much will he pocket over this deal? As usual, not even a feeble effort by him to hide what's going on...

[IbogaProject]

10. A lot of pieces in this

Coumo and Hochul have been relentless in trying to grab the whole block south in partnership with Vornado a real estate holding company. Dead end tracks is an obsolete design. Current state of the art calls for through running and expanding the current platforms. Any large development should be over the rail yard in Queens which could connect neighborhoods. Trump has it in for Vornado as he has neen trapped by its principal with 20% that the owner never pays out and keeps reinvesting. So now one of the only to ever beat T at his own game is about to have a rough ride at best or likely much worse. T is going to bulldoze an entire city block and build mega towers.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vornado_Realty_Trust

Here is a summary on why expanding the track count isn't needed. https://www.etany.org/penn-station-can-handle-the-load

[BobTheSubgenius]

11. I predict that it will be way over budget, and way over the time line.

And, when finished will either be a mall or a permanent carnival.

[SergeStorms]

12. So everything Trump sees.....

Is "wasteful, inefficient, and mismanaged."

This, from the guy whose gone through 6 bankruptcies, at least 2 of them casinos which print money for their other owners, so he's an expert on waste and mismanagement?

[JoseBalow]

13. drumpf trying to figure out how much of that $7B he can steal

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

14. Can you say

Boss Tweed? I knew you could...........

[Wonder Why]

15. Trump Station. Also renamed Grand Trump Terminal will soon have its new sign. 😁.

[Diraven]

16. Guess who will get the new contract?

Guarantee it will with either be Trump Organization or one owned by one of the crony oligarchs.