Washington, D.C

New strategy aims to ‘restore greatness’ to ailing Union Station

Published

2 years ago

January 7, 2023

New strategy aims to ‘restore greatness’ to ailing Union Station

Remark

Union Station officers say they’ve a brand new technique to lure again companies and passengers to “restore greatness” on the iconic transit hub, which has fallen on exhausting occasions in recent times.

The plan entails a cleaner and brighter station, an elevated presence of police and safety, and new eateries and retailers to fill quite a few vacant storefronts, a few of which emptied through the pandemic. A brand new administration group is spearheading the efforts.

“Can Union Station be saved? The reply is sure,” stated Doug Carr, the brand new president and chief government of the Union Station Redevelopment Corp. (USRC), which oversees the property. “Is it going to take a variety of work and energy? Completely.”

The contemporary upgrades are coming after a spike in vacancies and issues of safety, responding to rising issues about the way forward for the Washington rail station, which some D.C. officers, neighbors and passengers describe as outdated, unwelcoming and unsafe. Station officers stated they hope the addition of recent retailers and facilities, resembling musical performances and neighborhood occasions, will infuse vibrancy on the hub in coming months.

Carr stated crews in latest months have deep-cleaned the primary corridor’s marble flooring and added a coat of paint to the 96-foot, coffered ceilings. Lighting is being upgraded indoors and outdoor to boost security whereas the presence of personal safety has practically doubled, he stated.

Carr stated capital initiatives deliberate and underway, together with historic restoration work, will price a minimum of $20 million over the subsequent few years.

The USRC and managing firm Rexmark, a New York actual property agency that manages the station’s industrial facet, not too long ago named Matt Barry, who led Tysons Nook Middle for 4 years, as normal supervisor to supervise efforts to revitalize the 115-year-old landmark.

Union Station has fallen on exhausting occasions. Can it’s saved?

“Union Station is poised for a comeback,” Barry stated, citing efforts to extend foot site visitors and signal new retail and workplace leases to “restore greatness” to the station.

He stated the corporate is negotiating a number of leases that might be introduced within the coming months, though he declined to supply extra element. As a part of the technique, he stated, he desires to create extra inviting areas for neighbors and guests.

“We need to give them a spot to come back at evening and on the weekends,” he stated.

Three eateries that shuttered through the pandemic reopened this previous fall: Wendy’s, Dunkin’ and Jersey Mike’s Subs. Two different meals tenants have signed new leases. Barry stated he’s working to convey again Starbucks, which left final summer time citing security issues.

As Starbucks exits, Union Station struggles with security, empty shops

Companies have been departing the station for the reason that early 2000s, however the coronavirus pandemic accelerated the exodus. This previous fall, about 40 retailers and eateries had been open whereas greater than half of Union Station’s industrial house sat vacant — a distinction to its 100-store mall within the Nineteen Eighties.

D.C. Council member Charles Allen (D-Ward 6), who represents the world and has been urging adjustments on the rail hub, stated the speedy upgrades had been sorely wanted to infuse life into the station and restore confidence. In latest months, he stated he has heard from enterprise officers who need a presence on the station, which he described as an encouraging signal.

“We’ve nonetheless received to do extra, like getting new tenants in, getting new companies in, attracting extra foot site visitors,” Allen stated. “We’ve received to get extra riders on our rail system. That’s essential to its financial vitality.”

He stated it’s going to take time to raise the station to the place it was earlier than the pandemic and fill its empty areas, together with the largely vacant mezzanine degree, which he described as a “ghost city.”

Union Station’s customer counts and prepare operations dropped considerably through the pandemic. Earlier than 2020, it had greater than 40 million guests yearly and was served by 85 to 90 intercity Amtrak trains each day. It’s also the Washington area’s busiest transit hub, connecting Amtrak, Metro, Virginia Railway Specific, Maryland’s MARC commuter trains, and intercity and native buses.

Amtrak’s operations have rebounded to close pre-pandemic ranges, however Metro, and particularly commuter prepare site visitors, are removed from an analogous restoration. Nonetheless, Union Station officers stated there are encouraging indicators. Foot site visitors elevated by practically 180 p.c in 2022 in contrast with 2021, they stated.

“I’m very assured within the items of the puzzle which are coming collectively, from the management to the brand new companies which are coming in to the ridership that’s coming again,” Allen stated. “And I imagine that riders and people that gave up on Union Station are going to begin to come again.”

Barry stated the presence of safety guards on the rail hub has elevated 85 p.c. The corporate additionally has deployed “station ambassadors” who greet guests and supply steerage and additional vigilance.

Though crime has fallen in recent times as passenger counts additionally fell, the notion of crime and unsafe situations has grown, partly due to a number of high-profile incidents at or close to the station, together with a September capturing within the Principal Corridor. An increase in psychological well being calls and encounters with panhandlers have contributed to anxieties amongst some customers on the station.

Among the many plans are main historic preservation work within the station’s East Corridor and the Presidential Suite, each a part of the unique 1907 construction. Cleaners even have stepped up upkeep of the restrooms, officers stated, whereas plans this 12 months name for a renovation of the outdated restrooms in Amtrak ready areas.

Union Station in line for $10 billion facelift, however questions stay

The enhancements, Carr stated, are essential to enhancing the experiences of passengers and guaranteeing the station is prepared for a $10 billion redevelopment being deliberate, which would come with expanded tracks and concourses, underground parking and new facilities over twenty years.

“We’ve assembled the group and we expect we’re headed in the appropriate course,” Carr stated. “We aren’t ready for the station enlargement to make enhancements. We’re making enhancements now.”

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Washington, D.C

DC gets ready to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary – WTOP News

Published

8 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

DC gets ready to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary – WTOP News

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and America250 Chair Rosie Rios joined students at a bilingual elementary school to kickoff D.C.’s chapter of the commission preparing to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Students at Powell Bilingual Elementary School in Petworth greeted Bowser with a rousing introduction, as she introduced them to a new vocabulary word: “Semiquincentennial.” The word describes the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Bowser told the students D.C.’s 250th celebration should be the biggest and the best, and said, “Throwing a big party for thousands of people is a big task. But in Washington, D.C., we welcome visitors for big events all the time.”

D.C.’s festivities, though, will be part of a nationwide effort to throw a celebration of America like none other.

America250 is a nonpartisan initiative working to involve Americans from every state and U.S. territory in the Semiquincentennial, which will be in 2026.

Rios told the students about “America’s Field Trip,” explaining it’s a contest for those in “grades 3-12 who get to answer the question, ‘What does America mean to me?’ The beauty of this program is that the award recipients get to choose from a series of backstage experiences with our federal agencies, most of which have never been offered to the public before.”

Those field trip sites include a variety of historic and cultural landmarks across the country.

Rios recalled the nation’s bicentennial in 1976, when she was just 10 years old. Her parents had come to the U.S. from Mexico in 1958, and she said the evening of July 4, 1976, “was a cloudy night in Heyward, California, but those fireworks were never brighter.”

“On that night, I felt I had the whole world in front of me. I did feel that anything was possible,” Rios said.

She said she’s eager to hear from others about their family histories and their hopes and dreams for the future.

Another feature of the America250 celebration is “Our American Story,” which includes a chance for residents to nominate someone they know to share their histories, which, if selected, will be preserved at the Library of Congress.

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Washington, D.C

Inauguration Day: Timeline of key inaugural events

Published

16 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

Inauguration Day: Timeline of key inaugural events

WASHINGTON – Nearly a quarter million ticketed guests are expected to attend Donald Trump’s second inauguration on Monday, January 20, 2025, in the nation’s capital. The festivities begin over the weekend and continue until the Tuesday following Inauguration Day.

On Monday, the ceremony will take place on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. Security screening gates are expected to open at 5 a.m. Ticketed guests should arrive by 11:30 a.m.

Here are some key events on the schedule if you are planning to attend:

Timeline:

Saturday, January 18

Trump will attend a reception and fireworks display at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia.

Vice President-elect JD Vance will participate in a reception for incoming Cabinet members and host a dinner.

READ MORE: Inauguration Day: Security tightens in DC one week before Trump takes office

Sunday, January 19

Trump will take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

Trump will hold a MAGA Victory rally at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., at 3 p.m., with a performance by the Village People.

Trump will host a candlelight dinner with campaign donors.

Monday, January 20 (Inauguration Day)

Trump will attend a worship service at St. John’s Episcopal Church in downtown D.C.

Trump and incoming first lady Melania Trump will join the Bidens for tea at the White House.

Inauguration Day Forecast: Slight chance for snow showers early Monday

What we know:

Inaugural Ceremonies at the U.S. Capitol

The ceremonies will take place on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol.

Security screening gates open at 5 a.m., music begins at 9:30 a.m. Ticketed guests should arrive by 11:30 a.m.

The theme, “Our Enduring Democracy: A Constitutional Promise,” recognizes the Founders’ commitment to preserving democracy.

Carrie Underwood will perform “America the Beautiful” before Trump takes the oath of office at 12 p.m. Former Presidents Obama, Bush, and Clinton are expected to attend.

A farewell to former President Biden and Vice President Harris will occur around noon.

Trump will gather with aides and lawmakers for the President’s Signing Room Ceremony at the U.S. Capitol to sign executive orders or memorandums.

The JCCIC Congressional Luncheon will follow, attended by the new president, vice president, Senate leaders, and JCCIC members.

Trump will review military troops at the East Front steps of the U.S. Capitol, followed by a presidential parade down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House.

READ MORE: Inauguration Day 2025: Road closures, routes and timing

At the White House, Trump will participate in the traditional Oval Office signing ceremony for executive orders or nominations.

Trump will attend three Inaugural balls: Commander in Chief Ball, Liberty Inaugural Ball, and the Starlight Ball. He is scheduled to speak at all three balls.

Commander in Chief Ball focused on military service members
Liberty Inaugural Ball geared toward Trump supporters
Starlight Ball will focus on high-dollar donors

What’s next:

Tuesday, January 21

Trump will attend the National Prayer Service, an interfaith event at the Washington National Cathedral.

The Source: Information in this article comes from The Trump Vance Inaugural Committee, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, and the Associated Press.

NewsInauguration DayDonald J. TrumpMelania TrumpWashington, D.C.

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Washington, D.C

Thousands to make their voices heard at People's March days before inauguration

Published

24 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

Thousands to make their voices heard at People's March days before inauguration

As D.C. prepares for Inauguration Day, tens of thousands of activists are preparing to make their voices heard.

Days before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in at the U.S. Capitol again, several grassroots groups will descend on the District Saturday for the People’s March, which has the same organizers behind the 2017 Women’s March.

“Talking about immigration, talking about peace, talking about abortion access, talking about racial justice and reproductive justice,” said Tamika Middleon, the managing director for Women’s March.

Like previous marches, organizers say Saturday’s event is part of a long term resistance strategy to proposed policies of the incoming Trump Administration

“And so we are trying to create opportunities for people to be together, and that’s really our message, is for people to find ways for them to engage with each other,” Middleon said.

Several Metro stations and several streets will be closed Monday for the inauguration, but the 18th will also be a busy day on D.C. roads

People’s March organizers say there will be three meet up locations Saturday before they march to the Lincoln Memorial: Farragut Square, where groups will focus on democracy, immigration, climate and military; Franklin Park, a starting point for gender justice activists, women’s rights and LGBTQ+ groups; and McPherson Square, ground zero for many local grassroots organizations.

“We’re going to be specifically focusing on D.C. issues,” said Megan Salmon with Spaces in Action.

Salmon said they’ve been busy coordinating with local volunteers ahead of Saturday, and even though a lot has changed since Trump took office in 2017, their commitment to the cause hasn’t — and they’re ready for what’s next.

“Organizers have been preparing for a moment like this for way longer than it was talked about, so it wasn’t just since the election, it wasn’t just since the campaign trail,” Salmon said. “I do think that the resistance is strategic, but I do think that’s not just a reflection of the moment we’re in. I think it’s a longer term fight.”

All of those groups are set to meet up at the Lincoln Memorial, and that big rally is scheduled to go from about 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

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