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Vision
The Union Depot Multi-Modal Transit Center represents the next stage in the St. Paul-Minneapolis' region's transportation future. A revitalized Union Depot will blend transit modes that exist today with others that are programmed in the region's long range plan in one historic location. This facility will allow for a seamless transfer among transportation modes while providing access to all of downtown St. Paul's services for passengers and those meeting them. It would serve regional, state and community needs.
Multi-Modal Transit Center
In 2002, RCRRA formed a group, the LOCATE Task Force, of stakeholders, made up of business and civic leaders, to discuss siting a potential multi-modal transit center in downtown St. Paul. The group evaluated locations for the transit center and assessed which transit modes might be suitable for the facility. One facility stood out. The Union Depot is located in the heart of the capital city, St. Paul, as well as in a busy downtown area. The Union Depot enjoys:
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Existing rail lines that allow for easy access to new lines:
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Convenient highway connections:
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A beautiful historic building ripe for reuse;
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Adjacent sites that would be developed to support and complement the transportation use;
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Proximity to the Mississippi River;
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A central location near St. Paul's commerce, event, and entertainment areas.
Thus, Union Depot was confirmed as the best site for a multi-modal facility that takes advantage of the area's geography and infrastructure.
History of the Union Depot
Completed in 1923, Union Depot provided passenger and freight railroad services for both the Twin Cities and the state of Minnesota. Located in downtown near the Mississippi River, the St. Paul Union Depot is a complex of facilities and elements that served some 282 trains and 20,000 passengers daily. The Headhouse, or the lobby portion of the complex, is shown below.
Union Depot Headhouse, 1925
Beyond the Headhouse is a 45-foot wide entrance passage that was built as a bridge over Kellogg Boulevard to connect to the concourse, which provided access to railroad platforms. At one time, there were 18 railroad tracks serving the Union Depot. After passenger rail service was discontinued to the Depot in 1971, sections of the Depot complex were sold to various entities. This includes part of the bridge over Kellogg, the concourse, and land near the concourse which were sold to the Postal Service for truck circulation and bulk mail handling. Much of the Depot complex still remain in private ownership.
Specifics
The Amtrak station, currently located in the Midway area of St. Paul, will relocate to Union Depot. Union Depot will be the terminus or transfer point for Central Corridor light rail transit, Rush Line and Red Rock commuter rail lines, as well as local and intercity buses. High speed rail from Chicago will also stop at the Depot. Below are schematics and links to renderings of how the modes will stop under the concourse and connect to the Headhouse.
Cross Section of Depot
Saint Paul Union Depot Analysis, 2003
Plan of Head House and Concourse (PDF) - Saint Paul Union Depot Analysis, 2003
Renderings One and Two of Facility
As part of the work by the LOCATE Task Force and RCRRA, analysis concluded that the return of passenger rail services to the Union Depot depended on the relocation of the Post Office's facilities. The Postal Service had previously indicated a preference to move its St. Paul operations, and in June 2005, announced its intentions to relocate the St. Paul mail processing operations to Eagan.
Implementation Schedule and Cost
The initial reintroduction of transportation services into the Depot might occur in a 3-5 year period, but the full schedule of transportation services will take much longer. Preliminary cost estimates for the first phase of construction total $100 million, not including land-acquisition. Total project cost is estimated at $361 million (all estimates are in year-of-expenditure dollars).
Next Steps
Now that the Union Depot can be restored to its original purpose of passenger rail service, what happens next? RCRRA and the city of St. Paul are working together on property acquisition negotiations with the Postal Service. When more specific are known (such as the schedule of the Postal Service's move), work can begin to return rail service to the Depot. In the meantime, RCRRA has acquired property to the northeast of the concourse, which will be used for railroad tracks to once again service the concourse (analysis showed much of the previous Depot complex, now in private ownership, must be purchased for the replacement of railroad tracks to serve the Depot).
Federal Funds
The Union Depot has been identified as a project of national and regional significance in the federal transportation bill, and has been awarded $50 million over the next five years.
Contact
For more information, contact Tim Mayasich, RCRRA Director, at timothy.mayasich@co.ramsey.mn.us or at 651-266-2762.
The following are downloadable sections of the St. Paul Union Depot Analysis work prepared for the RCRRA by LTK, November 2003. These are all pdf files. If you are having trouble downloading these reports, please contact Alicia Vap, RCRRA, at 651-266-2773.
Report Summary
Report Cover
Body of the Report
Figures 1-2, 1-3, 3-3, 4-1, 4-2, 5-1, 5-2, 5-3, 5-4
Figures 2-1 through 2-10, 3-1, 3-2
Appendix One
Appendix Two
Appendix Three
