The Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority (RCRRA) has conditionally approved the selection of two firms that will play a critical role in the activation and development of Union Depot. Today’s action by the board allows county officials to begin negotiations with the firms.
In December 2011, RCRRA began an open solicitation process for selecting partners to provide property management services and oversee a leasing and development plan to activate the newly restored transportation hub. Additionally, RCRRA solicited for a private partner to design and operate a state-of-the-art bicycle center.
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, ACTIVATION AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
If negotiations are successful, Jones Lang LaSalle will provide property management and leasing/activation services for the historic Union Depot. The company is one of the world’s largest commercial real estate firms and the largest third-party retail property management firm in the U.S.
Jones Lang LaSalle has extensive experience in the management and operations of transit stations including Union Station in Washington, D.C., Chicago Union Station and New York City’s Grand Central Terminal. The firm employs more than 200 commercial real estate professionals in the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul region, has a corporate office in downtown Minneapolis and serves as property manager of Rosedale Center and Calhoun Square and leasing agent for a 2.8 million-square-foot portfolio of office properties.
“Jones Lang LaSalle understands the importance of establishing Union Depot as a great public place in Lowertown and in downtown St. Paul, which should serve as a catalyst to spur nearby commercial and residential development,” said Commissioner Jim McDonough, chair of the RCRRA.
If selected, the firm will take over the day-to-day property management of Union Depot, including general facility management, building operations and maintenance, cleaning and security. Additionally, the firm will implement a retail development plan for Union Depot, leveraging significant investment in new transportation services and the restoration of the monumental architecture to create a vibrant, active place for shopping and arts or cultural events.
“Our experience overseeing leasing and management at a variety of other major transportation hubs across the U.S. gives us a unique insight that we are eager to leverage for the benefit of Union Depot,” said Mark Hunter, Senior Vice President and Midwest regional head of Jones Lang LaSalle’s Retail division. “We share the RCRRA’s vision for Union Depot as a ‘community center’ and economic development engine and look forward to helping revitalize the property to that end.”
BICYCLE CENTER OPERATION
Pending successful negotiations, One on One Bicycle Studio, Inc., has been selected to design and operate a bicycle center on the ground level of Union Depot. The center, with entrances and storefront windows facing Sibley Street, will feature secure bicycle storage, showers and lockers for commuters, bicycle repair and retail services. In addition, they plan to operate a café and art gallery, providing grab-and-go foods for commuters, gourmet soups, sandwiches and organic, fair-trade coffee.
One on One Bicycle Studio is a leader in the bicycling community. In 2003, One on One Bicycle Studio became the first bicycle + coffee shop in Minneapolis—located just a few blocks away from the Hiawatha LRT line in downtown—and has been an important part of the Twin Cities’ rise to the top of the national bicycling scene. Expanding the business into St. Paul at Union Depot allows One on One Bicycle Studio to bring arts and community based events that have drawn thousands of residents, bicycle enthusiasts and recreational users to their shop in Minneapolis’ historic Warehouse District.
“We’re really excited to become part of this project, and the energy that is going on in Lowertown,” said Gene Oberpriller, co-owner of One on One Bicycle Studio.
One on One Bicycle Studio was an influential partner with Charles Youel in the development of ARTCRANK, an event featuring bicycle-inspired poster artwork that introduces people to talented local artists and sends them home with affordable, original works of art. ARTCRANK was founded by Charles Youel in Minneapolis in 2007 and has spread internationally.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
Under the direction of the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority, the 33-acre Union Depot site is being transformed into a state-of-the-art multimodal Midwest regional transit hub, bringing together rail, bus, motor vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic.
Union Depot renovation will be complete at the end of 2012, and services will include Amtrak, light rail, local and inter-city bus service, taxis—and in the future—commuter rail and high speed rail to Chicago. Follow Union Depot on Facebook.
Central Corridor officials are using lessons learned from last year to minimize construction impacts on the public, and so far, 2012 is off to a great start.
Photo courtesy lettherebelightrail.blogspot.com
Project staff has worked with their contractor to more efficiently stage utility and road work, reducing idle work zones. By fully closing some intersections, crews are able to greatly reduce the time that traffic is detoured to alternate routes. The contractor has significantly improved pedestrian paths, making them more visible and safe for people with disabilities. The project has also increased routine inspections of pedestrian crossings and construction zones to ensure that safety barriers and curb ramps are in place, allowing the public to access businesses along the corridor.
“There is no doubt that construction is difficult for businesses along the corridor,”said Commissioner Jim McDonough, chair of the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority. “As heavy construction enters a second full year, the project has found creative ways to limit the impact of road and sidewalk closures, which are minimizing impacts on businesses.”
Project staff continues to monitor and quickly respond to calls to their 24-hour construction hotline. Please do not hesitate to contact them at 651-602-1404 for LRT-related questions or concerns.
What to expect this year
In downtown St. Paul, Cedar Street will be closed to through traffic until November as construction continues from Fourth Street through 12th Street.
Work includes relocating underground utilities, building the Central and 10th Street Stations, retrofitting Cedar Street Bridge, reconstructing the roadway and installing track.
Cross streets will be closed at various times during the construction season.
Closures will be coordinated so several intersections in any given area will not be closed at the same time.
Construction will also continue on University Avenue between 29th Avenue in Minneapolis and Robert Street in St. Paul.
One through-lane of traffic each way will be maintained on University Avenue between Hamline Avenue and Rice Street and between Emerald Street and 29th Avenue as crews relocate utilities, reconstruct the road and install the track.
Intermittent lane closures will occur between Emerald and Hamline where University was rebuilt in 2011, as crews continue installing embedded rail and resume building the Westgate, Raymond Avenue, Fairview Avenue and Snelling Avenue stations.
Heavy construction is to be substantially complete by year’s end, with systems’ work and testing to occur in late 2013 and 2014 with operation beginning later in 2014.
The Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority (RCRRA) is inviting artists to apply to public art commissions at the historic Union Depot in St. Paul’s Lowertown neighborhood. The RCRRA is investing approximately $1.25 million towards public art at the renovated Union Depot, with 80 percent ($1 million) of those dollars coming from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
FTA strongly encourages investment in public art as part of its funded projects, believing that the visual quality of the nation’s transportation system has a profound impact on making a vibrant, safe and welcoming facility.
The RCRRA has approved a Call to Artists that outlines four public art opportunities at the landmark transportation hub, including:
artwork to span and enhance the multi-story entry along Kellogg Boulevard
a building-wide interactive multimedia artwork platform to launch at completion of Union Depot
Click to download Call to Artists.
An informational copy of the Call to Artists can be downloaded by clicking here. Artists applying should request official copies by calling 651-266-8900 or by visiting http://bit.ly/ramseycountyRFPs. Please note that Ramsey County uses Onvia Demandstar to post competitive solicitations. Following this process will ensure that applicants receive important updates or addenda to the Call to Artists. Registration for Onvia is free; instructions are available here.
At Union Depot, public art will interweave and share space with some of the most striking architecture in the Twin Cities region and in the State of Minnesota. Art will serve to enhance the enjoyment of those passing through the public spaces, while complementing the power of the existing architectural elements.
“We are excited for artists to build upon the majesty and history of Union Depot,” said Commissioner Jim McDonough, chair of the RCRRA. “Public art will help to make the experience of Union Depot absolutely unforgettable, whether you are coming to board a bus or train, if you are coming to eat or shop, or if you are simply enjoying the public space.”
Applications for public art commissions will be reviewed by the Union Depot Art Selection and Design Review Panel, who will recommend artist selections to the RCRRA board. Applications for public art commissions are due May 23, 2012. For more information, follow Union Depot on Facebook at http://facebook.com/uniondepot.
The Gateway Corridor Commission is hosting four open houses to gather public input on the eight proposed transit options being considered in the Gateway Corridor Alternatives Analysis (AA) study.
The open houses will include a short presentation on the proposed transit modes and routes, identified station locations and ridership projections. The presentation will also include potential economic and community impacts of the transit options. Staff will be available to answer questions. There will also be an opportunity for attendees to provide both written and verbal comments.
Spring Open House Schedule
Tuesday, March 27, 2012 6-8 p.m. Eastside Community Center Harding Senior High School 1526 East 6th Street, St. Paul,MN
Thursday, March 29, 2012 5- 7 p.m. Chippewa Valley Technical College Room 118, Health Education Center 615 W. Clairemont Avenue, Eau Claire, WI
Wednesday, April 4, 2012 5-7 p.m. St. Croix County Government Center Lower Level (enter by Sheriff’s Office) 1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, WI
Thursday, April 5, 2012 5-7 p.m. Woodbury City Hall Ash/Birch Room, Main Floor 8301 Valley Creek Road, Woodbury, MN
For additional information about the public open houses and the AA, contact the Gateway Corridor Project Team at [email protected] or 651-430-4300, or visit www.thegatewaycorridor.com.
To request an ASL or language interpreter, please contact the project team no later than Friday, March 23. All facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities.
The Gateway Corridor enters 2012 with new funding and a nearly completed transit study. County commissioners throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area made the Gateway Corridor one of the region’s top transit priorities by awarding more than $2.1 million in Counties Transit Improvement Board (CTIB) funds. The Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority also contributed nearly $900,000 to the corridor. With approximately $3 million secured for 2012, the Gateway Corridor will have the necessary resources to complete an environmental assessment of the corridor.
In addition to the new funding, the Gateway Corridor transit study will be completed later this spring. After 18 months of gathering community input and conducting substantial research and reviews, the Alternative Analysis study will provide residents, business leaders and government officials with a clear vision for connecting the east metropolitan area to downtowns St. Paul and Minneapolis by transit. The study will provide the Gateway Corridor Commission with ridership estimates and potential station locations for the eight identified transit options within the corridor. Once completed, the study will identify the best transit option for the corridor.
“The Gateway Corridor is starting 2012 in a very strong position to be the next transit corridor built after Southwest Corridor LRT in the western suburbs,” said Lisa Weik, Washington County Commissioner and the newly re-elected chair of Gateway Corridor Commission. “Once we have identified our preferred transit option this spring, environmental work can begin with a goal of having an operating transit line within the next 10 years.”
In the coming weeks,the Gateway Corridor Commission will share many more developments, including:
Open house schedule to share new ridership numbers and station locations
Proposals sought for bicycle center, retail development and property management opportunities.
Christos Greek Restaurant is now open for lunch in the Great Hall of the Union Depot. The Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority is looking for partners to help transition the historic building into a vibrant operating facility.
ST. PAUL, Minn., Dec. 2, 2011—The Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority (RCRRA) is looking for private partners to join in the activation of the newly restored multimodal transportation hub. As crews complete the first of two years of major construction and renovation work on the Union Depot, county officials are preparing to transition the historic building into a vibrant operating facility.
The Union Depot, one of America’s great rail stations of the early 20th century, is considered a project of regional and national significance by the federal government. When restoration is complete, the 290,000 square foot Union Depot building and its 33-acre site will be filled with activity that complements transit and embraces the Depot’s location on the Mississippi River and in St. Paul’s distinctive Lowertown neighborhood.
“This beautiful station surrounded by homes, offices, eating and shopping, will build upon the vibrant arts and cultural programming that already blossoms in this neighborhood,” said Commissioner Jim McDonough, chair of the RCRRA. “Public-Private Partnership will help us achieve our vision of making the Union Depot one of America’s great public buildings and transit hubs for the 21st century,” he continued.
Two requests for proposals (RFP) and a request for qualifications (RFQu) were published today, providing unique opportunities to firms interested in being a part of the Union Depot. Informational copies are available below. Official documents should be obtained at http://bit.ly/uniondepotsolicitations.
The day-to-day property management of the Union Depot facility will be done by a selected firm, including general facility management, building operations and maintenance, cleaning and security.
Part of the RCRRA’s commitment to a true multi-modal experience at the Union Depot involves a center that would function as a hub for bicycle enthusiasts, commuters and recreational users alike.
The center will feature secure bicycle storage, showers and lockers for commuters. Additionally, there is space for bicycle repair, community education and retail.
The location of the center on the ground floor of the building provides direct access to Sibley Street, and is conveniently located near several regional trails, including the Bruce Vento, Sam Morgan and Trout Brook trails and the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. Central Corridor light rail will also serve the site in 2014, providing much broader access to the region.
The RCRRA intends to engage a private partner to implement its development plan in mid-2012, in advance of project opening at the beginning of 2013. Selected partners will leverage significant government investment in new transit services and the restoration of the monumental architecture to create a vibrant, active place.
The partner will develop and manage a retail concept for the Union Depot and will establish, promote and coordinate events and cultural programming in order to attract people to the Union Depot and downtown St. Paul.
Commissioners of the Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority recently visited the restored Headhouse.
Project Background
Under the direction of the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority, the 33-acre Union Depot site is being transformed into a state-of-the-art multimodal Midwest regional transit hub, bringing together rail, bus, motor vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic.
When the Union Depot renovation is complete at the end of 2012, Amtrak’s Empire Builder service, currently located at a station in the Midway area of St. Paul, will relocate there. The Union Depot will be a destination for riders of the Central Corridor light rail transit as well as Metro Transit bus routes; Jefferson Lines and Greyhound intercity and regional bus lines; bicyclists and pedestrians. The Depot will be a hub for future regional transitways including the Rush Line, Red Rock, Gateway, Robert Street and Riverview corridors. Future high-speed rail service to Chicago will also stop at the Depot.
Union Depot-related construction will narrow Kellogg Boulevard to one lane in each direction at Broadway Street. Kellogg will remain open during this work. The lane restriction will begin after morning rush hour Monday,Oct. 24,and continue until Nov. 2.
Below is a video production of MN2020,looking at two businesses that recently moved to University Ave and their perspective on construction of the Central Corridor.
Last night the Union Depot Historic Structures Report was recognized by the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota with a 2011 Preservation Award.
The Historic Structures Report describes the economic forces that drove settlement in St. Paul and the construction of the Great Northern Railroad,which lead to the construction of several generations of rail depots in St. Paul. It tells the story about how railroads built the city and continued as a major force for moving passengers and goods,up until the end of World War II. Among the report’s 262 pages,includes a comprehensive developmental history,evaluation of its significance and existing conditions with recommendations for work on the project.
The Preservation Alliance had this to say about the report:
Built between 1917 and 1926,Saint Paul Union Depot,located in the Lowertown area of downtown Saint Paul,was the largest 20th century construction project in the city. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places,both individually and as a contributing building in the Lowertown Historic District.
After years of limited use and with a significant portion of the Depot vacant,it took visionary leadership to recognize Union Depot’s potential. In steps the Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority. The Authority purchased the ailing building and site in 2009 in order to convert it to a multi-modal transportation hub. By 2014,the Depot will host the Central Corridor Light Rail;Amtrak;Greyhound and Jefferson bus lines;Metro Transit bus service;taxi service;and a bicycle center. Union Depot’s future may also include a possible high-speed rail line connecting St. Paul to Chicago and commuter rail to Hastings.
As part of the Central Corridor LRT project,a Section 106 Programmatic Agreement (PA) was executed by the Federal Transit Administration,Advisory Council on Historic Preservation,Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office,and Metropolitan Council. The PA required preparation of a Historic Structures Report (HSR) for the property,including the Head House,concourse area,train deck,and associated trackage. The report documents the history of the building within a broader national transportation and economic context;evaluates its significance;assesses existing conditions;and recommends activities for future rehabilitation.
This award recognizes the HSR team for the thoroughness of the document,the quality of the research that went into its creation,its critical role in the sensitive conversion of the historic Union Depot to a next generation multi-modal transportation hub,and the sheer beauty of every single page.
In May 2011,the report was the recipient of a Cultural Heritage Award from the St. Paul Heritage Preservation Commission and St. Paul chapter of the American Institute of Architects.
The report was co-authored by HGA Architects and Engineers,Beyer Blinder Belle Architects and Planners,and Luken Architecture P.A. The Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority is responsible for restoring and revitalizing the Union Depot into a multi-modal transportation hub for the Twin Cities.
If negotiations are successful, Jones Lang LaSalle will provide property management and leasing/activation services for the historic Union Depot. The company is one of the world’s largest commercial real estate firms and the largest third-party retail property management firm in the U.S.
One on One Bicycle Studio is a leader in the bicycling community. In 2003, One on One Bicycle Studio became the first bicycle + coffee shop in Minneapolis—located just a few blocks away from the Hiawatha LRT line in downtown—and has been an important part of the Twin Cities’ rise to the top of the national bicycling scene. Expanding the business into St. Paul at Union Depot allows One on One Bicycle Studio to bring arts and community based events that have drawn thousands of residents, bicycle enthusiasts and recreational users to their shop in Minneapolis’ historic Warehouse District.
The Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority (RCRRA) is inviting artists to apply to public art commissions at the historic Union Depot in St. Paul’s Lowertown neighborhood. The RCRRA is investing approximately $1.25 million towards public art at the renovated Union Depot, with 80 percent ($1 million) of those dollars coming from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
Union Depot-related construction will narrow Kellogg Boulevard to one lane in each direction at Broadway Street. Kellogg will remain open during this work. The lane restriction will begin after morning rush hour Monday,Oct. 24,and continue until Nov. 2.
Ramsey County on Social Media