President Donald Trump is reviewing an expansive proposal to redesign Penn Station, a plan that would include moving Madison Square Garden and rebuilding the transit hub in a grand, classical style, according to a report published Thursday.

The proposal reflects a broader effort by the administration to promote traditional architectural design in major federally backed projects, aligning with its emphasis on classical aesthetics.

Sources familiar with a previously unreported Oval Office discussion said representatives connected to the Grand Penn Community Alliance presented Trump with a vision to relocate the arena and reconstruct Penn Station in a style inspired by its original structure, which was torn down in the 1960s.

The plan carries an estimated cost of $7.5 billion and calls for sweeping design elements such as Greco-Roman columns, a large glass ceiling, and expansive public areas, while shifting the 19,000-seat arena across Seventh Avenue.

This concept is one of three leading proposals currently under review by Amtrak. The rail operator, along with the U.S. Department of Transportation, assumed control of the redevelopment effort from New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority under the Trump administration.

A lead developer is expected to be chosen in May, with the project anticipated to receive significant federal funding.

Although Trump has not formally endorsed the proposal, those familiar with his thinking say he views it as a serious option and potentially a defining project of his presidency.

“As a New York native, President Trump is personally invested in revitalizing New York Penn Station,” White House spokesperson Kush Desai said.

Any effort to move Madison Square Garden would depend on approval from its owner, James Dolan, who has consistently opposed relocation.

The Penn Station project has become a central example of the administration’s architectural priorities.

Earlier, Trump signed an executive order requiring that new federal buildings reflect “classical architecture of ancient Athens and Rome,” and current project guidelines now incorporate that directive.

Supporters of the Grand Penn proposal say it would restore the grandeur lost when the original station was demolished decades ago.

Opponents, however, argue that the process lacks openness and raise concerns that political considerations could influence the outcome.

“We don’t know how it’s going to be financed. President Trump is involved and maybe he’ll select the winning bidder. On what criteria? We don’t know,” Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., wrote in a letter to former NYC Transit President Andy Byford.

“What are the criteria for selecting the winning proposals? How much money you gave to the Trump campaign?” Nadler questioned.

Despite the scope of the plan, significant obstacles remain.

Relocating Madison Square Garden would require coordination among developers, multiple levels of government, federal agencies, and property stakeholders, and could involve public funding. The arena’s structural connection to Penn Station adds further complications.

Officials say the redevelopment is likely to follow a public-private partnership model similar to the renovation of LaGuardia Airport, though key aspects—such as financing and how proposals will be evaluated—have not yet been finalized.

With several competing plans still under consideration, many of which would keep Madison Square Garden in its current location, the final decision will likely depend on practicality, cost, and political considerations.

For now, the effort to remake Penn Station sits at the crossroads of infrastructure planning, real estate interests, and architectural philosophy, as the administration’s push for classical design meets the complexities of modern urban redevelopment.

{Matzav.com}