Now that the new light rail station is open at Denver Union Station, a number of people have asked me, “So, what’s next?” To answer that question, here is a list of milestones relating to the new Union Station transit center project that you’ll see over the next few years. Keep in mind that most of these dates are tentative and may shift around a bit as the project advances, but this should give you a general idea of the sequence of upcoming milestones for the project.
- August 2011: New light rail station opens. Wewatta detour begins. 16th Street Mall and shuttle service extended to new station.
- Late 2011: Development team selected by RTD for renovation/reuse of historic station.
- Early 2012: Construction begins on north wing building (IMA Financial HQ). Construction on south wing building will likely begin in 2012 as well.
- Early/mid 2012: Construction begins on historic station and Wynkoop Plaza.
- Early/mid 2013: West corridor light rail opens with service to Union Station.
- Late 2013/Early 2014: Underground bus facility at Union Station opens. Market Street Station closes. Downtown Circulator service begins.
- Mid-2014: Commuter rail station and all remaining project elements are completed. Amtrak moves back to Union Station.
- January 2016: East Corridor commuter rail line to DIA opens with service to Union Station.
- Mid-2016: Gold Line commuter rail line to Arvada/Wheat Ridge opens with service to Union Station.
Except for the two wing buildings, not included in the list are the private-sector developments planned for around the station. It is highly likely several of these will break ground within the next few years. Obviously, we’ll report on those when they are announced. Also, if I receive more accurate schedule information, I’ll edit/update this list.
One question, what is happening with parking near the station? For folks riding Amtrak, there used to be a lot to the north that was open, but guessing that will get taken over by new buildings?
Also, are the current tennants in Union Station having to move out for the renovation (if they’re still there?) I remember from when I lived in Denver that there were a number of small office renters in the building, plus a restaurant.
Mike, good questions. Regarding parking, there will be some parking for general public (including Amtrak riders) in underground/structured facilities somewhere on the site, I’m not sure if they’ve decided where yet. Hopefully, most Amtrak people will either take transit or a taxi to get to DUS.
Regarding the existing tenants, yes there are several still in the building (no restaurants anymore) including the project offices for Kiewit, Union Station Neighborhood Company, and a FasTracks office. For some of the other companies with offices on the upper floors of the two wings, if they stay or go would depend on who wins the right to redevelopment the station. If the group that wants to make it into a hotel is chosen, those office tenants will have to go. If USNC wins, since their plan is for the upper floors of the wings to be used for leasable office, I suppose some of them could stay (although I bet their rent will go up once the project is finished!).
Can I be impatient and say I want all of that now?
I know the feeling. I’m going into college as a freshman this year and I’ll have my masters in time for the East Corridor to open up. It will be a fun thing to watch go up, though!
I have a question that I’m hoping can be addressed in a future Union Station update. I walked by a sign at the new light rail station and noticed an updated version of an old rendering. I took a picture for reference:
http://www.ryannee.com/unionstation,jpg
I was curious about:
– The new “Wewatta Pavillion” branding as you enter the bus station. Is that new RTD / Union Station design work, or just a speculative placeholder by Skidmore Owings & Merrill?
– Those two dark gray boxes on the 17th street along the bus station axis. Are those public bathrooms? That’s my best guess, but those seemed new to me as of this rendering, unless I’ve been missing something.
Thanks as always for the great updates!
I screwed up the URL above — try this one: http://www.ryannee.com/unionstation.jpg
Hi Ryan. Those two small gray boxes are related to emergency access to the underground facility–nothing public. The Wewatta Pavilion design will be identical to the Chestnut Pavilion under construction next to light rail. I’m not sure but does that answer your question?
Ken – I’m disappointed that you didn’t mention the North line. There are pretty bad traffic jams every day coming down from the Erie / Lafayette area through Thornton on I-25, but we’re not at all sure when or even if we will ever see the commuter line promised to us. We have been paying for FasTracks just like all of you but have gotten very little benefit from it. I will take the chance and vote for the tax increase if it’s put on the ballot next year, but how about everyone who already has their FasTracks line? Are we going to be left out altogether because people don’t want to pay even more? Toast and Brennen say they’re impatient – at least they have a bit of certianty. We would really like to be included with the rest of the area in the benefits as well as the costs (and posts like this).