Renderings Courtesy of Union Station Redevelopment Corporation, via Beyer Blinder Belle/Grimshaw Architects

 

Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC) is the designated sponsor for the Union Station Expansion Project (SEP), a once in a generation project and investment opportunity that will transform Union Station, the second busiest railroad station in the nation and the Washington region’s busiest multimodal transportation hub, into a world-class facility.  The SEP serves several critical objectives: expanding and modernizing Union Station for its second century of existence; fostering the growth of mass transportation options; and driving regional socio-economic development through job creation, labor income, economic activity and improved social equity and access. USRC is working closely with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Amtrak to implement long-term development plans for Union Station and the surrounding area.

On March 12, 2024, the FRA announced completion of the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision (ROD), the federal government’s necessary approval of the environmental review of the SEP,  officially allowing it to move forward.

Shortly after the FRA’s final Record of Decision, on May 8, 2024 InfrastructureDC released its SEP Delivery and Governance Study, undertaken to assess how best to complete the modernization and transformation of Union Station. The study affirmed USRC’s role as project sponsor, with oversight for all aspects of the project, including development, funding, and governance (project structure).  The full study may be viewed here.

On July 29, 2024, as part of the possession ruling on the commercial sublease held by Union Station Investco, LLC, Amtrak assumed responsibility for station management, station retail operations and the station’s commercial office space, with USRC continuing to serve as its landlord. While the FRA owns the Union Station complex, under a 99-year lease agreement, USRC manages the station’s subleases and will continue working with Amtrak to  enhance the experience for all station users.

The SEP is currently in the project development stage. A range of activities are required to ready the project for final design and construction which is expected to take several years. Once these activities are complete, USRC is focusing on design development and target the next major milestone of approximately 30% design (presently, the project is at 10% design).

To see a conceptual video of  the SEP, please visit our YouTube channel here.

Updated: August 2024