Madison Square Garden Sentenced to Relocation

Three million three hundred fourty nine thousand four hundred and eighty one (3,490,481). That’s how many tickets to the Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas, James L. Dolan could purchase. If he decided to not spend nine hundred and sixty eight million dollars (968,000,000) renovating Madison Square Garden over the past three years. Might not seem like much of an investment considering what the owners group makes every year through Rangers and Knicks games, in cohesion to countless entertainment events.

It is a significant sum of money though when discovering that MSG will have to move. The special operating permit which allows the continued use of MSG will be terminated in 2023. Giving MSG executives ten years to explore relocation possibilities. For those aware of the situation in New York then this should not come as much of a surprise. Ownership has contemplated relocation for much of the past decade before opting to renovate in 2008 amidst the economic downturn.

Literally at the heart of this news is Penn Station. The most iconic mass transit hub in the United States, Penn Station sits just below MSG, and needs a face lift. Five hundred thousand people access the intricate tunnel labyrinth daily, utilizing train and metro transit. The sub crust system is overcrowded, causing the desire for a new station to reach a priority position in the ever changing city of New York. City Council Speaker Christine Quinn commented, “This is an opportunity to re-imagine and redevelop Penn Station as a world-class transportation destination”.

Whether or not the decision actually forces relocation is something to follow over the decade. This is not set in stone. In ten years, multiple government elections will occur, undoubtedly impacting the decision by the New York City Council. True to US politics, candidates for the impending mayoral election are groveling for the opportunity to voice support or opposition. The proposed Penn Station project will cost billions of dollars, require political leadership and cooperation between parties. Financial instability, lack of leadership, and waning bipartisanship ultimately led to the project failing in 2008.

Madison Square Garden has moved a few times since its inception in 1879, and occupied this specific location since 1968. The home of countless sporting events, MSG is widely known for athletics. More importantly though, an unparalleled level of music events. Recently, a multi night, sold out visit from Swedish House Mafia sits clear in the mind of MSG attendees.

An onslaught of questions emerge. Will relocation bring a better music experience? Will a better facility encourage more entertainment performances? Is the deadline, a decade in advance, even an issue for music lovers today? With a new billion dollar investment yet to be experienced is the looming deadline of any importance? I could easily compile a lengthy list, but the most important question; what are the best events that you’ve enjoyed at the Garden? No matter the musical genre, leave your thoughts, and we’ll compile a list specific for you, our readers.