Battle over future of Union Station goes to Congress
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Union Station is embarking on a long modernization project — but before all that, there's a saga over its immediate control, setting up a clash between a top House Republican and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Why it matters: House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) is trying to derail Amtrak's attempt to use eminent domain to take control of the station's retail space, which is currently leased to a third party.
What they're saying: "The complete overhaul of Union Station planned by Amtrak appears to be in direct conflict with existing law," Comer told Buttigieg in a letter Wednesday.
- He added using eminent domain "appears to be little more than another example of abusive government overreach at Americans' expense."
Catch up quick: While Amtrak has long-term plans for a gleaming, expanded Union Station, the railway company also wants to renovate the main hall and other interiors in the near future. That includes building more customer and passenger areas and repurposing space that was previously a movie theater.
- To do so, Amtrak two years ago filed for eminent domain to consolidate its control over the entire station footprint, offering $250 million for the space currently managed by the private party Rexmark.
- Rexmark didn't want to give it up, but a judge ruled in favor of Amtrak in April.
- While Amtrak was supposed to take over the lease by June 1, Rexmark has said it needs more time. A new deadline of July 15 is looming.
Which is where Comer enters.
- Comer fears that less focus on building retail space goes against the public-private partnership idea hatched in the 1980s to make the station financially self-sustaining.
He wants Buttigieg to turn over a raft of documents, including correspondence involving Amtrak, the Department of Transportation, and the White House regarding Union Station's renovations. He wants them by July 10.
- Amtrak did not immediately comment. It has previously argued that immediate renovations are needed in part "to repair and reinforce the train tunnel that runs through the Station" and make other improvements.
Zoom out: The long-term vision is to triple passenger capacity and turn Union Station into a high-speed rail hub.
- It's expected to cost $8.8 billion and take a decade.