Amidst great anticipation and a long-awaited transformation, the redevelopment of Penn Station in New York City is finally underway. With a vision to create a commuter-first station and revitalize the surrounding neighborhood, Governor Kathy Hochul, along with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), Amtrak, and NJ TRANSIT, is spearheading an ambitious project that aims to turn the station into a symbol of the city's greatness.

Last year, Governor Hochul, in collaboration with NJ Governor Murphy, announced their commitment to advancing the project, building upon former Governor Cuomo's initial plans to redevelop and rejuvenate Penn Station and its environs. With her insights and advancements, Governor Hochul unveiled her scaled-back yet ambitious plan, seeking firms to design and guide the reconstruction. Recently, the MTA and its railroad partners issued a Notice to Proceed, marking the commencement of preliminary design and unveiling new renderings of the project. The support for this transformative venture is widespread, with NYC Mayor Eric Adams expressing his enthusiasm, stating that the renovation will transform the station from an embarrassment to a symbol of the city's greatness.

The comprehensive plan revolves around a complete overhaul of the existing Penn Station, capitalizing on the available space following the relocation of Amtrak operations to the new Moynihan Train Hall. Additionally, the project entails the development of the surrounding neighborhood, including constructing ten new skyscrapers, which will provide the necessary financing for this multi-billion dollar endeavor.

Related: These Are Officially The Most Livable Cities In New York State

When Was Penn Station In New York City Remodeled?

• Penn Station is currently being remodeled at a cost of 7 billion dollars.
• The new Moynihan Train Hall was the first step of the "21st Century Empire Station Complex," unveiled at the start of 2021.

Penn Station, one of New York City's "most hated" train stations, has always been a headache for commuters. Serving nearly 600,000 daily passengers at its peak, it's the busiest train station in the western hemisphere. In 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul approved a plan to completely re-imagine the station, adding new buildings and public spaces and modernizing the now-outdated structure from top to bottom. This comes at a 6-7 billion dollar price tag, so it's one of the larger infrastructure projects currently happening in the Big Apple.

Here's where to find the best food in NYC's Penn Station.

Other improvements include expanded retail and dining options, a better ticketing and waiting area, and more elevators, escalators, and entrances, which will make a significant impact. This entire project will take years to finish, with an exact completion date still nowhere in sight. One thing about New York City is that remodels are expensive and lengthy.

These ten 5-star NYC attractions may also be worth considering in the area.

What Will Happen To The Existing Penn Station In NYC? Can People Use It During The Renovation?

• People will still have access to sections of Penn Station during the remodel.
• This is rumored to be a six-year-long project.

During the multi-year renovation of New York City's Pennsylvania Station, commuters will still have access to points in the property. However, as each part gets torn apart and redone, this is where a headache could start. The New York Times reports that during this expansion and re-imagination, Penn Station will span six years (probably longer) and will:

Reconfigure the cramped, confounding station, which is owned by Amtrak, into a single concourse with high ceilings and a grid of wide corridors that lets daylight, dignity and circulatory logic replace the rat’s maze beneath Madison Square Garden.

This is important news for New Yorkers, especially those attending concerts or events at the iconic Madison Square Garden. The NYT also mentions that with this renovation, people can expect Penn Station to get a new, porous stone facade with landscaped terraces and rows of columns that would restore some of the initial beauty of the 1960s version of Penn Station that was torn down. A major complaint with Pennsylvania Station is that its current state is depressing, so with the renovation: that could dramatically change.

Want to get to Niagara Falls from NYC? Here's everything to know.

Related: You Can Actually Go Scuba Diving In New York City (Including In The Hudson); Here's How

Discovering New York's newest artificial floating island may also be fun.

After Many Failed Attempts: New York City's Penn Station May Finally Become A World-Class Commuter Hub

• There have been many failed remodel attempts at Penn Station.
• This most recent one, however, has the governor and people behind it.

Although the rumors of remodeling Penn Station usually lead to nothing, there's something different in the air this time. Hope and the future of NYC travel are at the forefront of this re-imagined project, boasting open-air architecture, green space, easier mobility throughout Penn Station, and more places to eat and enjoy. Although we're only in the very beginning stages of this iconic remodel, Penn Station is set to become the new crown jewel of New York City.

These are the best rooftops (with views) in New York City to check out.