Amtrak has taken the next step in redevelopment of Chicago Union Station by asking for responses to a Request For Qualification for a Master Developer for commercial elements
The plan covers the station and adjacent land, a total of 613,075 square feet of property and 1.33 million total square feet of building area.
“Any development solution envisioned by the selected proposer will need to align with Amtrak operational goals as well as integrate successfully with the surrounding West Loop neighborhood,” Amtrak said in a statement. “It is critical that the Master Developer successfully engage the community and incorporate feedback from West Loop stakeholders into any development plan.”
Amtrak is seeking companies that can provide design, construction, financing and maintenance of non-rail assets.
The company will be expected to identify expansion opportunities and commercial development in the surrounding West Loop neighborhood
“The plan must also harmonize with growing passenger volumes at CUS,” Amtrak said in its statement.
“Amtrak believes that bringing in private equity through a Master Developer can best achieve the desired outcome that optimizes CUS as an asset that serves more than 33 million travelers and commuters per year,” said Executive Vice President Infrastructure Development Stephen Gardner. “We look forward to continued communication with the development community to find a talented partner to assist us in transforming Chicago Union Station into a world-class transportation facility that is further woven into the fabric of the great city in which it resides.”
The Chicago Union Station complex includes the concourse, mezzanine, head house, Amtrak parking garage, and the north and south train sheds.
Ongoing investments made by Amtrak include upgrades to the station’s head house building that included asbestos abatement, sprinkler systems, and installation of air conditioning.
Amtrak in the Heartland 
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