The Trump administration on Wednesday announced plans to retake control of Washington, D.C.’s Union Station — its latest measure geared at combating crime in the district.
“Instead of being a point of pride, Washington’s Union Station has fallen into disrepair,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement. “By reclaiming station management, we will help make this city safe and beautiful.”
While the Department of Transportation has owned the historic station since the 1980s, it has allowed a nonprofit, the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation, more control over the station year after year.
Now, the Department of Transportation says it plans to use a new deal with Amtrak and USRC to fund improvements to elevators, lighting, security and other repairs to the roof and several major systems.
The agency predicted the “reinvestment and improved security will dramatically improve the income from the station, which should unlock opportunities for private investment as part of potential expansion of the station.”
Last year, a court gave Amtrak the right to take control of the management and operations of the station. At that time, Amtrak launched an initiative to revitalize Union Station.
But in March, when the White House axed Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner, Duffy brought up safety concerns surrounding the station. He sent a letter to Amtrak requesting an updated plan on how it intended to improve public safety.
National Guard troops have been on patrol at Union Station since Trump deployed troops around the capital earlier this month.
Duffy announced the takeover in a statement before he visited Union Station for the launch of the NextGen Acela, Amtrak’s new high-speed train which can run at speeds up to 160 mph and will be able to carry 27 percent more passengers.
At the launch, Duffy said President Trump has been “pretty clear” about what he wants.
“He wants Union Station to be beautiful again. He wants transit to be safe again. And he wants our nation’s capital to be great again. And today is part of that,” Duffy said.
Trump, for his part, has requested $2 billion from Congress to beautify Washington as part of his larger crackdown on the city.