We do not see any Action Alternative to date that meets the goal of a successful integration of the expanded station with either the adjacent neighborhoods or the planned development of the Railroad Air Rights known as the Burnham Place project. We have grave concerns that the Action Alternatives developed by the FRA to date in the EIS process would significantly and needlessly harm the station and the surrounding neighborhoods. In a letter, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6C (which includes Union Station) wrote, And a 10-story, above-ground garage would isolate the station from the surrounding area. But too many cars coming and going from the station would, residents and leaders say, choke the roads in NoMa and Capitol Hill with cars and interfere with creating a better place. They and the city agree on a vision of H Street as an active urban street rather than just a back door to the station and its garage. Now, it’s the bustling NoMa neighborhood, and developer Akridge has won the rights to build offices and residences atop a substantial portion of the rail yard. In decades past, the area north of Union Station was fairly unused. But many local leaders say that’s still way too many. Over the course of the current process to make an Environmental Impact Statement for the station expansion project, FRA is now proposing 1,575 spaces. But how big should the new garage be, and where should it be located? Among other things, the train platforms need to be wider in order to accommodate more people coming by train - which means tearing down the entire parking garage, which sits above the tracks. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is leading a process with federal, state, and local agencies to envision a future for the station. There are also about 1,300-1,400 people who purchase monthly passes to the garage. Right now, these serve, in part, people driving and parking to take Amtrak or to shop in the mall which occupies most of the historic station. The current station has 2,194 parking spaces (or 2,220 as reported at the meeting) in a large parking garage above the tracks accessible from Columbus Circle and H Street NE. This issue came to a head during a recent National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) meeting which reviewed progress on an environmental review underway for future expansion of the station. However, a number of local leaders including DC Councilmember Charles Allen and the local Advisory Neighborhood Commission say that the station is on track to have too much parking, a move which would stifle its function and role in a larger city. Union Station needs a makeover, not only to upgrade its facilities, but also to prepare for expected growth. View information for the Union Station shuttle and New Haven Connector Downtown Loop.A rendering of Union Station by the Federal Railroad Administration Connecting Transit Routes:ĬT transit serves Union Station with several routes: Additional garage parking is available directly across Union Avenue. Overflow parking is available at the Coliseum Parking Lot and Temple Street Garage. Please get in touch with the New Haven Parking Authority at (203) 946-8936 for general information and parking rates. Paid parking is offered 24 hours at Union Station’s parking garage.
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