The passenger railroad said the move is necessary to realize a long-planned expansion and modernization of the nation’s second-busiest train hub.
The historic station, a fixture in the heart of the District, is owned by the United States, but it is leased to and operated by other entities.
“We need to advance some long-delayed state of good repair and capital projects so that we can improve the station and shore up the station infrastructure,” said Dennis Newman, Amtrak’s executive vice president for strategy, planning and accessibility. “An improved Washington Union Station is really key to our mission.”
Amtrak currently subleases a small portion of the station — about 13.4 percent — from USI for its railroad operations, which includes the concourse area right before passengers go out to the platform. The carrier wants to take over about 425,000 square feet of the station, which includes the entire property, except the parking garage.Amtrak’s filing makes the case that acquiring leasing control will allow the railroad to repair the train tunnel “so that safety and stability are maintained.
But USI has dragged its feet, Amtrak argues in its filing: “USI’s repeated rejections of Amtrak’s proposals related to Amtrak’s needs for this project have meant that this critical [state of good repair] project has not been effectively started.”Beverley Swaim-Staley, president and chief executive of the USRC, declined to comment Thursday. The FRA, which provides oversight, did not respond to a request for comment.
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