Washington Union Station Project

[scando]

Originally Posted by old school

I respectfully disagree. The amount of money is necessary if you want a first class station. With that type of mentality, the original station would not have been built. Let's think BIG, let's do BIG Things like Eisenhower and FDR!!!!
We deserve the best in the Nations Capital and every city around the country. Just take some money from the bloated Defense Department and spend it on people here at home...
_____________________
One Nation, Under God, Indivisible...
With Liberty and Justice for ALL

I'm only 40 miles away but it sounds like what I hear from people in Iowa about their perception of DC...there's no such thing as spending too much money. 7 Billion dollars? Think about how much building you can do for a paltry 1 billion and ask yourself what could possibly cost 7 billion in one building.

[phoenixboi08]

It's spread over 10-15 years (probably more like 20)...

It's also not really the construction of a new building, it includes improvements to the existing facility, expansion of platforms, rail yards, and a new metro line and train shed.

But as for an actual cost-breakdown? Haven't seen one yet.

Also, we have to think of this in terms of investment...cost-benefit. If capacity increases, ridership increase. If ridership increases, revenue increases. The whole point of development (and financing that development) is that you're betting against future returns: if the returns are what you project (or greater), everyone wins.

[scando]

I'd be curious to see the cost breakdown. I'm completely in agreement with infrastructure improvements like rails, platforms, etc, but we also know how DC projects often grow and compared to every other rail facility in the region, Union Station is already a palace.

That's why I'd love to see 7 billion spread around facilities throughout the area, some on Amtrak, some on Marc, some in VA, some on CSX (which hosts the Marc Camden Line) and whatever else connects to the system. Getting people on and off trains at Union is a challenge, but so is getting the trains TO Union, as anybody who's been stuck on a train waiting for a problem to clear can attest.

[NovaWolverine]

Originally Posted by scando

I'd be curious to see the cost breakdown. I'm completely in agreement with infrastructure improvements like rails, platforms, etc, but we also know how DC projects often grow and compared to every other rail facility in the region, Union Station is already a palace.

That's why I'd love to see 7 billion spread around facilities throughout the area, some on Amtrak, some on Marc, some in VA, some on CSX (which hosts the Marc Camden Line) and whatever else connects to the system. Getting people on and off trains at Union is a challenge, but so is getting the trains TO Union, as anybody who's been stuck on a train waiting for a problem to clear can attest.

Here's an article that goes into some of the reasons why it's so expensive. http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/...novations.html

Like I said, they are building a platform over the tracks for basically a new neighborhood. But, they're also demo'ing the current parking structure, replacing it with a below-ground structure, building a new track, etc. It would be expensive, but $7 billion is pretty staggering nonetheless. The City Center project costs 1/10th of this.

[scando]

Originally Posted by NovaWolverine

Here's an article that goes into some of the reasons why it's so expensive. http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/...novations.html

Like I said, they are building a platform over the tracks for basically a new neighborhood. But, they're also demo'ing the current parking structure, replacing it with a below-ground structure, building a new track, etc. It would be expensive, but $7 billion is pretty staggering nonetheless. The City Center project costs 1/10th of this.

I seem to recall a Roman emporer, Carracalla, who bankrupted Rome building a huge, luxurious public bath. It appears as though Amtrak wants to build the Baths of Carracalla instead of running trains.

[old school]

Originally Posted by scando

I seem to recall a Roman emporer, Carracalla, who bankrupted Rome building a huge, luxurious public bath. It appears as though Amtrak wants to build the Baths of Carracalla instead of running trains.

Look, please read the entire proposal; most of the money is PRIVATE money for the development of a new neighborhood.
It's small ball thinking like yours, in my opinion, is one of the reasons US infrastructure is rated as the worst in the developed world according to non-partisan Civil Engineers. The US was number one before Ronald Reagan and the Republicans took over.
Let's spend money on infrastructure and leave a legacy for our descendants like our ancestors did with the original Union Station...
Just sayin'
_______________________
One Nation, Under God, Indivisible...

[phoenixboi08]

Originally Posted by old school

Look, please read the entire proposal; most of the money is PRIVATE money for the development of a new neighborhood.
It's small ball thinking like yours, in my opinion, is one of the reasons US infrastructure is rated as the worst in the developed world according to non-partisan Civil Engineers. The US was number one before Ronald Reagan and the Republicans took over.
Let's spend money on infrastructure and leave a legacy for our descendants like our ancestors did with the original Union Station...
Just sayin'
_______________________
One Nation, Under God, Indivisible...

Well, technically, the cost of private developments over the yards ($1.5 billion) isn't included in that $7 billion figure.

[old school]

Originally Posted by phoenixboi08

Well, technically, the cost of private developments over the yards ($1.5 billion) isn't included in that $7 billion figure.

OK, thanks... But, remember the cost will be spread over 20 years and is designed to triple the capacity of the station, to add another level and to contain up to six tracks for HSR. Remember, each Nimitz carrier costs around $4.5 billion dollars, yet there is no outcry about that grossly inflated expense among the conservatives here present. Let's spend money on a first class facility that currently serves 100,000 citizens now and can serve 300,000 in the future...
____________________
A More Perfect Union...
Promote the General Welfare...
Ensure Domestic Tranquility...
Establish Justice...
----- US Constitution

[phoenixboi08]

Originally Posted by old school

OK, thanks... But, remember the cost will be spread over 20 years and is designed to triple the capacity of the station, to add another level and to contain up to six tracks for HSR. Remember, each Nimitz carrier costs around $4.5 billion dollars, yet there is no outcry about that grossly inflated expense among the conservatives here present. Let's spend money on a first class facility that currently serves 100,000 citizens now and can serve 300,000 in the future...
____________________
A More Perfect Union...
Promote the General Welfare...
Ensure Domestic Tranquility...
Establish Justice...
----- US Constitution

I wasn't disagreeing, just wanted to point that out.

[old school]

Originally Posted by phoenixboi08

I wasn't disagreeing, just wanted to point that out.

Thanks!!!

[VelesHomais]

I love it. Although I found the union state as it is now to be quite spectacular, especially coming directly from the penn station, which is a tiny dungeon. I just got back to NYC from DC on the Acela train and departing from DC was far more relaxed and hassle-free than it was from New York.

They should reorganize the taxi line somehow so that more than one person is getting into a cab at once. The wait for a taxi is ridiculous.The metro isn't always an option for a tourist, considering that it's the worlds most complicated subway system.