The Current Plan for the Penn area:
The current plan would build roughly 18 million square feet of luxury office space around Penn Station (equivalent to 6 Empire State Buildings worth of offices!), with only a few hundred units of housing required. Despite initial promises, NYC’s post-COVID reality rendered new, large-scale commercial projects unfeasible for the foreseeable future, leaving the neighborhood in limbo. We need a new plan—one that prioritizes people over empty lots and office towers.
A New Vision for the Penn GPP:
More Housing. More Public Space. A Thriving Community.
Manhattan’s Assemblymember Tony Simone has a bold plan to amend the GPP—unlocking thousands of new homes, vibrant public spaces, and smart, mixed-use development that meets the needs of New Yorkers today.
A New Vision for the Penn GPP:
Thousands of new housing units
Smart, mixed-use development with retail, hotels, affordable homes and office space
A new public park the size of Bryant Park
Restored and new hotel space for visitors
Neighborhood-wide improvements to make the area safer, cleaner and greener
A New Vision for the Penn GPP:
The future of the Penn GPP is ultimately up to Governor Kathy Hochul, who has the power to reopen the plan and set a new course for the Penn Neighborhood at any time.
Supporters of amending the GPP already include:
Assemblymember Tony Simone
“The Penn neighborhood is the gateway to New York City for millions of people who come here everyday, and it has the potential to become a world-class destination for residents and tourists alike. For too long, this area has sat in waiting for office development that has not materialized — and won’t for years. It’s time for a new plan that reflects the reality of New York City today. By amending the State proposal, we can create a true mixed-use neighborhood that combines affordable housing, new green space and hotels to bolster our city’s livability and improve public safety. I look forward to working with Governor Hochul to unlock the future of Midtown and reimagine Penn for the next generation,” said Assemblymember Tony Simone.
New York City Council Member Erik Bottcher
“Revisiting the GPP is a crucial opportunity to take a fresh look at land use in the Penn area, especially given the new tools we have to create much-needed housing. With smart planning and strategic investments, we can unlock more affordable housing, vibrant public spaces, and sustainable small businesses that strengthen the community. By modernizing our approach, we are saying yes to housing, yes to economic vitality, and yes to an even stronger neighborhood. I thank my colleague Assembly Member Simone for his leadership and look forward to working together with all stakeholders to deliver for New Yorkers,” said Councilmember Erik Bottcher
Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal
Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal said: “I’m grateful to Assembly Member Simone for calling for the GPP for the Penn Station area to be revisited, especially with an emphasis on the creation of much-needed affordable housing for Manhattan, where access to transit, including Gateway, will be an enormous boost to housing development. I look forward to working collaboratively with my elected colleagues in the area and the Governor in moving forward.”
Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine
“Now is the right time to come to the table to discuss the future of Midtown – one that connects well with Midtown South and is a vibrant, safe 24/7 neighborhood. And undoubtedly, this presents a wealth of opportunities for affordable housing development,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “We have the tools and the collective desire to transform the Penn Station neighborhood into something that truly serves New Yorkers, commuters, and visitors.”
Manhattan Community Board 4
“I applaud the call for a fresh look at the Penn Station General Project Plan,” said Jessica Chait, Chair of Manhattan Community Board 4. “Increasing residential development, expanding green space, and ensuring property owners have a choice address many of the concerns of the previous plan. Restarting this conversation with ESD in a way that reflects today's realities and the City’s broader Midtown South rezoning goals will create a more balanced, community oriented vision for the area.”
Manhattan Community Board 5
"Last year, Manhattan Community Board 5 passed a resolution highlighting the insufficiency of the GPP in regards to creating housing," said Nancy Aber Goshow, AIA, Chair of the Manhattan CB5 Land Use, Housing & Zoning Committee. "CB5 has identified affordable housing as its top priority for the past ten years and we applaud efforts to amend the GPP to spur the creation of new housing."
The Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York
“The proposed revised plan to re-envision the area around Penn Station could not only provide much-needed housing and neighborhood improvements but also create thousands of family-sustaining union careers for hardworking New Yorkers, thanks to the requirement of a project labor agreement,” said Gary LaBarbera, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York. “Penn Station and the area around it is often many people’s first impression of Manhattan up close, and our visitors and New Yorkers alike deserve a transportation hub that is modernized, accessible, and livable outside of the train station. This smart development plan will provide just that and open up more opportunities for our tradesmen and tradeswomen to pursue the middle class and reinvest in their communities.”
Open Plans New York
"The area around Penn Station is an unfortunate combination of clogged with cars, teeming with pedestrians, and lacking very little green space. But there are simple ways to develop a much more balanced and people-centered streetscape and the State should pursue them. Diverting cars along key streets and breaking the grid will help calm traffic, creating new opportunities for pedestrian-focused public space on streets like 32nd and 33rd. By reprioritizing our streets to serve everyone, we can encourage community and connectedness, even in the heart of Manhattan’s hustle and bustle," said Jackson Chabot, Director of Advocacy and Organizing at Open Plans.
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to turn the Penn neighborhood into a thriving destination for residents, commuters, and visitors alike. We’re building a future that can start today for everyone — join us.