Gov. David Paterson announced that he is recommending the appointment of Tim Gilchrist, his senior adviser for infrastructure and transportation, as the President of the Moynihan Station Development Corporation, the state entity under ESDC that is in charge of seeing through the Moynihan Station project. He will be replacing Robin Stout, in the position since early 2006.

Gilchrist is well qualified for the position. He played a critical role in securing $83 million in federal stimulus funding for the project back in February, and was instrumental in negotiating an MOU between the State and Amtrak. As a result of his work - and numerous other people's - the first phase of the project is now underway: the public comment period closed last Friday, a vote by the PACB is expected in the next few weeks, and construction could begin by the end of the year.

The Friends of Moynihan Station thank Robin Stout for his tireless work on the project and his persistent optimism. We wish him the best as he pursues other opportunities at ESDC.

Tim Gilchrist will begin in the new position in mid-July.

credit: wallyg/flickr

Several member organizations of the Friends of Moynihan Station attended the Moynihan Station Development Corporation's public hearing last night, urging the agency to continue pursuing the project and particularly "Phase One," which is to say the widening and lengthening of the West End Concourse, two new entrances into the station through the corners of the Farley Post Office building, as well as less visible catenary and emergency-ventilation work.

- Regional Plan Association focused on the tangible benefits that even just Phase One would bring
- General Contractors Association emphasized the importance of starting construction soon and creating jobs
- Municipal Art Society encouraged ESDC to think beyond Phase One
- New York Landmarks Conservancy applauded the fact that this plan preserves the building's historic integrity
- Assemblymember Richard Gottfried would have preferred that Phase One went through the City's approval process but understands that time is of the essence. He urged that Phase Two go through ULURP.

Last Friday, ESDC's board of directors approved a revised General Project Plan and Technical Memorandum for Phase One of Moynihan Station. (In layman's terms: Last Friday, the state agency in charge of Moynihan Station issued detailed documents of what it proposes to build as part of Phase One of the project.)

This step means that the public approvals process has officially begun! The Friends of Moynihan Station -- as a group and as individual organizations -- will be testifying at the April 28 hearing at the Farley Building. Please join us, to express your support for the project, and/or provide some constructive criticism of the plans. If you are not able to attend, you may send your comments in writing until May 28. All information is below.

Here are a few keys links:
- The Draft General Project Plan, which is a general overview of the project and its financing
- The Draft SEQRA Technical Memorandum, which includes detailed information about several aspects of the project, including its environmental impacts
- Yesterday's Notice of Public Hearing, published in the Daily News

The hearing will be held on Wednesday April 28, from 4pm to 8pm, at the Farley Post Office building, 380 West 33rd Street, Room 4500.
Please send written comments to ESDC, 633 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017, attn: Rebecca Pellegrini.

Phase One of the Moynihan Station project -- the phase that is now fully funded and that will begin construction before the end of the year, will include doubling the width and length of the West End Concourse (pictured above) so that it provides access to more platforms. Travelers coming in on platforms 3 to 6 will be able to head to the A/C/E subway, or exit to the street at Eighth Avenue -- through new entrances at the corners of the Farley building, in fact -- without walking through Penn Station. (The West End Concourse currently serves only platforms 7 to 11.)

(For an illustration of what this work means, or to get your bearings around this confusing station, check out these site plans and images.)

Phase One also includes some less visible infrastructure improvements including platform ventilation and catenary work.

On the heels of Tuesday's announcement that the Moynihan Station project was awarded the necessary funding to begin construction of Phase 1, Gov. David Paterson announced that the State of New York had also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Amtrak. (A broad term sheet was signed last September.) It is not clear at this time what terms of agreement the MOU includes. More detailed contracts will be signed in months to come.

Gov. Paterson has also officially charged the Empire State Development Corporation and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to see the project through. This involves coordinating the multiple agencies involved, negotiating a final agreement with Amtrak, and applying for federal funding. The Port Authority's board must now vote to approve taking on the project.