Big plans are in the works to reshape Washington, D.C.'s iconic train station, and they've just taken another step forward.
For years, Union Station, considered the gateway to D.C., has struggled with empty stores and safety concerns.
District and transportation officials have vowed to restore it to glory, and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced Thursday that a key piece of the process has been completed: the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision. That officially allows the project to move forward.
Plans include a reconstructed rail yard, a modernized train hall and concourse, an underground garage and pick-up/drop-off area, integration with bus facilities on the planned H Street deck, and better connectivity with the train hall.
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The new additions would be constructed behind the main historic terminal.
Calling this a once-in-a-lifetime project, Union Station Redevelopment Corporation CEO Doug Carr says the new plan will focus on the passenger experience.
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"There’s intermodal connections between bus, rail, commuter and inner city. That’s all happening within a user-friendly environment. And it’s really a focus on the passenger experience," Carr said of the plans.
Renderings depict what the new areas could look like in the years ahead, showing futuristic soaring ceilings, elevated windows akin to skylights, and glass walls that would allow travelers in the station to see the platforms and trains.
Union Station serves as a major transportation hub for the D.C. area, used by passengers traveling on Amtrak, MARC, VRE, Metro and Greyhound. It also used to be a major retail, dining and entertainment destination for D.C. residents and even had a movie theater on its lower level.
Carr said Union Station needs to once again provide economic stimulus to the city: "something that’s pedestrian-friendly, meets the needs of the commuters, passengers and visitors, but is also something that will provide some economic stimulus to the city and the region."
So what happens next? Carr says they will now move into the design and engineering phase, a process that could take several years.
The FRA said construction could take about 13 years and would cost about $8.8 billion, but Carr said that's a rough estimate at this point. That will all be determined by the design phase, which can now get underway.
It's not clear yet when construction could begin, since funding has yet to be secured. The project's sponsor, the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation, will need to identify funding sources and develop a funding plan. In addition, the U.S. Department of Transportation is looking at federal grant opportunities and regional partnerships to help, the FRA said.
Several agencies have a hand in ownership of Union Station, including the federal government, so it's been a bit of a challenge to get everyone on the same page. However, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has made it one of her top priorities to revitalize the space.
