"Battle Over Madison Square Garden Site Spurs Push for Penn Station Remodel"

The New York City Council is expected to grant James Dolan, owner of Madison Square Garden, a new five-year license to operate at full capacity. However, the council has indicated its intention to push for the relocation of the arena from its current location atop Pennsylvania Station. The battle over the future of Madison Square Garden is intertwined with plans to fix and expand Penn Station, with various proposals and billions of dollars at stake. The complex's support beams pose challenges to addressing Penn Station's shortcomings, and Dolan has shown no interest in moving the arena. The MTA and other entities are exploring different plans, including a $7 billion program backed by the railroads and a $12.5 billion proposal from an Italian firm with assistance from MSG. Neither proposal fully addresses Penn Station's capacity issues, and neighborhood activists have opposed a new train terminal that would primarily serve NJ Transit.