MSG: Should it Stay or Should it Go?

The decision whether to re-locate Madison Square Garden in order to rebuild and renovate Penn Station has suddenly become a hot topic in the mayoral race, reports The New York Times.

Democratic candidates, including Christine C. Quinn, Bill de Blasio and John C. Liu are calling on the Garden to vacate its home atop the underground rail station. They are suggesting, in order to make room for an updated rail station, the City extend MSG’s permit for only another 10 years-- enough time, they say, for the stadium to find an alternative home.

However, Republican mayoral candidate Joseph J. Lhota, and Democratic candidate Bill Thompson Jr. disagree: They say MSG’s permit should be extended in perpetuity.

The city should “leave the world’s most famous arena where it is,” Thompson said.

To expand the station, officials would need to buy another full city block to install additional tracks. The last formal attempt to address a Penn Station renovation was raised and then fell apart five years ago, due to an over-ambitious plan, weak political support and an overall lack of public financing.