June 15, 2015

Washington, DC – Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC) in partnership with Amtrak, Akridge, and Union Station Investco (USI) announce the completion of the first ever Historic Preservation Plan for the Washington Union Station complex.

This plan marks the culmination of a 14-month drafting process where station partners worked with Building Conservation Associates, Inc. (BCA) to ensure the plan included a catalog of historical information from the Station’s construction to present day, as well as a technical analysis of the current condition of the historic elements, and will serve as a guide for future preservation, rehabilitation, restoration, and reconstruction efforts. The historic preservation community was involved throughout the lengthily drafting process, and met regularly with the planning team. Key stakeholder groups that participated include: Capitol Hill Restoration Society; Committee of 100 on the Federal City; DC Preservation League; DC State Historic Preservation office; National Trust for Historic Preservation; and US Commission of Fine Arts.

Upon its release, the Union Station Preservation Coalition notified USRC of its official endorsement of the Historic Preservation Plan as an essential planning tool for the purposed expansion of Union Station and construction of Burnham Place.

“The preservation plan conveys a tremendous amount of valuable information and useful guidance. It is thoughtful, well organized, and ably presented. The plan’s graphic documentation is especially effective and essential to the reader’s comprehension.” said the Union Station Preservation Coalition.

“As a co-founder of the preservation coalition, we at the National Trust are heartened to know that historic preservation will be a top priority for the stewards of Union Station as the historic railroad terminal is expanded and Burnham Place is constructed,” said Rob Nieweg of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “We wholeheartedly endorse the newly completed historic preservation plan because it will help ensure that historic Union Station remains a beautiful and vibrant center of urban life in the Nation’s Capital.”

“Working closely with historic stakeholders to formalize this plan has been a priority for the past two years. URSC’s primary mission is to serve as the lead preservationists of Union Station while maintaining a first-class transportation facility. This plan is essential to serving that mission, and we look forward to using it as a guide for many years to come.” said Beverley Swaim-Staley, USRC’s President and CEO.

For more detailed information, an electronic copy of the complete plan is available at http://www.usrcdc.com/projects/historic-preservation-plan/.

About Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC)
Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC) was established in 1983 as a non-profit organization charged with overseeing Washington Union Station’s restoration and renaissance as a multi-modal transportation center and a retail/entertainment center while preserving its significant historic character. Today, USRC continues to oversee Union Station as a premier world class inter-modal facility meeting the needs of more than 100,000 people who stream through the station daily. The USRC generates its revenue through operation of the parking garage and management of the developer’s lease.

About Building Conservation Associates, Inc. (BCA)
Building Conservation Associates, Inc. (BCA) is a consulting firm that specializes in both the technical and historical aspects of restoring buildings and works of art. BCA also assists clients in the preparation of federal rehabilitation tax credit applications. BCA’s approach to conservation is pragmatic, combining field documentation, archival research, materials testing, and scientific research to satisfy project requirements without compromising quality. Since its founding in 1985, BCA has maintained an experienced staff of preservationists, conservators, scientists, architects, historians, planners and artisans. BCA has developed a reputation for its practical approach in the fields of historic preservation and materials conservation. BCA has offices in New York, Boston, and Philadelphia.

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