Union Depot Multimodal Transit Hub: Historic Elegance and Modern Convenience

About the Program

Category: Community and Economic Development (Best in Category)

Year: 2014

Union Depot has an important place in American railroad history and is one of the great railroad stations of the 20th century. During the late 1920s, there was constant motion at Union Depot with 300 trains and 20,000 passengers every day. Union Depot continued to serve St. Paul, MN, as the main source of rail traffic until 1971 when passenger rail service was restructured and the depot was closed. Union Depot remained out of service for all passenger transportation until the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority purchased the 33-acre site in 2005. The vision driving the revitalization effort was two-fold: creating a hub for transit and transportation services and public investment in a community with significant economic potential. In January 2011, the transformation from neglected train station to state-of-the-art multimodal transportation hub began. The exquisitely renovated Union Depot re-opened to the public on December 8, 2012. The building has been certified LEED® Gold and is on the National Register of Historic Places, effectively marrying historic integrity and best practices for 21st century buildings. By bringing together pedestrians, bicyclists, passenger rail, light rail, commuter and intercity bus service, and the capacity to support commuter rail and high-speed rail, Union Depot is creating new transportation, event, art, culture and retail opportunities for current and future generations.