When Pennsylvania Station was completed in 1910, The PRR and the City expected that it would serve as a catalyst for development of the surrounding area. Samuel Rea served as President of the Pennsylvania Railroad from 1913 to 1925 and during his term he struggled to develop the area around Penn (especially to the east). He wanted the area around Penn to flourish in the same manner that the area surrounding Grand Central had done.

Hilary Ballon wrote, "Pennsylvania Station functioned as an important transportation node, but it failed to shape a district."

This area was also supposed to flourish with the 1960s redevelopment of Penn, the construction of Madison Square Garden and One & Two Penn Plaza.

In the mid 1980s, we hoped that the Javits center would make the West Side come alive. All one has to do is take a walk from Penn eastward to Javits to see the results.

What makes us think that the Moynihan project will provide us with a different outcome? Why are things different now?