The destruction of the magnificent original Penn Station, and its replacement with the prison-like monstrosity that sits there now, was one of the worst acts of civic barbarism ever committed by a city government. That was the dark age of urban architecture. Fortunately, such a blatant act of vandalism did make it tougher when people later wanted to tear down Carnegie Hall and Grand Central Terminal, among others. Tearing down the present Penn Station will be a pleasure.
I always cringe when I'm in Penn Station and see the posters of the beautiful old station. The old one for instance, looked like it was pretty much self ventilated for one thing, though I'll have to research that one.