Madison Square Garden, is requesting significant alterations to the James A. Farley Post Office interior as part of an agreement to move MSG into the building’s western annex, say two people who participated in a state-sponsored tour last week.
The most striking change would be the installation of a huge glass wall between the proposed train hall and MSG, which the Garden wants in order to better advertise events. Garden officials also want to expand two large arches that lead from the post office area into the train hall, and create four arches instead.
Read more: MSG wants Farley alterations before moving. The glass wall is alluded to can be made out in the below rendering from the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (pdf):
The alterations could also jeopardize $250 million in federal tax credits if the National Park Service decides that they trample on historic preservation rules. The building’s exterior would be largely unchanged.
Again, as every large New York City development deal, discussions are made in the back rooms and the public is rarely let in. A new EIS is expected this month, stay tuned.