By Dave Sotero, October 23, 2014

Sitting at a new plaza overlooking the historic patios – the view is looking north.

Sitting at a new plaza overlooking the historic patios – the view is looking north.


This rendering shows the expanded multi-modal concourse, with a direct connection to HSR station below grade on the east side of Vignes. The USMP could support other approaches to a HSR station as well.



A rendering of the new east entrance to the station, looking toward Vignes Street.

An aerial view of Union Station with potential future development and
strong connections to neighboring communities and amenities.

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board of Directors today approved actions to officially move the Union Station Master Plan, an ambitious long-range roadmap for L.A.’s single largest public transit hub, from planning to implementation.
Metro can now pursue its initial
implementation strategy for near-term projects, which includes a
programmatic environmental review of the recommended transit
improvements as well as the commercial development program. Metro
can also seek immediate funding opportunities for improvements to the
station’s perimeter, and will form partnerships with the city and
county, real estate and investment communities to support related
implementation efforts.
“Today is a milestone day in our goal to bring ‘America’s Last Great Train Station’ into the 21st
century,” said Eric Garcetti, L.A. City Mayor and Metro Board Chair.
“Metro is now on the move to make Los Angeles Union Station a
world-class transit hub.”
Planned improvements to Union Station’s
perimeter include a series of streetscape, open space and transit stop
improvements that soften the edges of the station, improve the
pedestrian and cyclist experience, strengthen connections to and from
the station’s entrances and create a more welcoming environment to
transit riders and visitors. Foremost among these improvements is the
planned removal of the surface parking lot on the northern side of the
forecourt and the creation of a public plaza. This
and other improvements will directly link with the El Pueblo Historic
Monument, where apprxoimately $1 million in local open space funds has
been identified to support the design and implementation of these
improvements.
Metro was recently awarded other grant
opportunities to improve four bus stops along Cesar Chavez between
Alameda and Vignes, which includes creating shelters, additional seating
and information, and bike facilities. Metro
has also received a grant from the Congestion Reduction ExpressLanes
Net Toll Revenue Project and is providing matching funds to create a
Metro Bike Hub on the west side of Union Station that will offer parking
for about 300 bicycles, 24-7 secure access control, a space for bike
retail and repair services, and a meeting/training space to conduct bike
safety training workshops. This bike hub is expected to open in 2017.
The master plan improvements
build on ongoing restoration and upgrades for the historic station,
which have included new signage, restoration of the historic
furnishings, woodwork, metalwork, chandeliers, and repainting. Further
planned improvements are renovation of the 75-year-old roof and new
heating, ventilation and air conditioning system for the historic
station. Work will be completed under the watchful eye of the Historic
Architectural Consultant firm ARG and the Los Angeles Conservancy. In
addition to restoration work, Metro has begun actively leasing spaces
at the station. In the past six months, leases have been signed with Café Crepe, T&Y Bakery, and most recently two new kiosks for the east portal and a new gastro pub in the Fred Harvey restaurant, which will be developed and managed by downtown restaurateurs Cedd Moses and Eric Needleman.
Long-term plans, subject to the
availability of future funding, call for a new expanded, multi-modal
passenger concourse and the relocation of Patsaouras Bus Plaza to the
west side of the property. Both
of these concepts are intended to improve the efficiency of transit
operations and enhance the passenger experience at the station.
The master plan development program includes 3.25 million square feet of entitlements on the Union Station property. The
master plan preserves the historic station, which is registered as a
national historical landmark, yet it also envisions new commercial
development that will help make Union Station a world-class destination. Possible development could include new retail amenities, hotel, housing and much more.
Metro has been working on the Union
Station Master Plan for the last two years with the assistance of a
consultant team led by Gruen Associates and Grimshaw Architects. The
station opened in 1939 and primarily served passenger trains connecting
to cities across California and the United States. Ridership has
increased tenfold since the station opened and is now approaching
110,000 trips per day. Daily ridership is expected to jump to nearly
197,000 trips per day by 2040 as the Metro Rail system continues to
expand.