Amtrak is proposing to enter into a long-term land lease with a local developer, the Chicago Union Station Development Company, LLC.
An additional 18 floors will be added to the building. The result will be a 26 story building with a mix of office, hotel and residential uses. The ground levels will include substantial retail development. View an overview of the proposed development here: www.chicagounionstation.com
The idea of putting a high-rise above a railroad station is exciting. It is one of the advantages Union Station has over Midway airport.
However, Amtrak and the developers seem to have forgotten that it is a railroad station. In fact, the TIF application specifically states that no railroad functions are conducted in the building.
It is ironic. The site would not be valuable without the railroad station, but the redevelopment is limiting the growth potential of the station.
We are asking the City of Chicago to work with Amtrak and the developer to use the redevelopment as a tool to enhance and expand the station.
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