(rshsdepot) Union Station, Chicago, IL

["Bernie Wagenblast" <brwagenblast_@_comcast.net>]

From today's Chicago Tribune.

Bernie Wagenblast
Transportation Communications Newsletter
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transport-communications

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Union Station proposal may be back on track



By THOMAS A. CORFMAN

Lincoln Property Co. is talking to potential tenants about a long-range 
proposal for a twin-tower office development on top of Union Station, a 
possible sign that the Dallas real estate firm will be Amtrak`s choice as 
the new developer of the historic structure.

The selection of a developer has renewed urgency for cash-strapped Amtrak, 
after the Bush administration threatened last month to push the national 
passenger railroad into bankruptcy in order to force a restructuring.

Amtrak is looking for a new developer after a 2002 deal with Prime Group 
Realty Trust fell apart. A railroad spokesman declined to comment.

A final decision has not been made, and Amtrak could still turn to one of 
the Chicago-based finalists: residential firm Draper & Kramer Inc. or Jones 
Lang LaSalle Inc., which has a mixed-use proposal with about 500,000 square 
feet of office space, similar to a plan city officials have already 
approved.

But sources said Lincoln is proposing two towers of roughly 20 stories each 
on top of the station, which was designed by architect Daniel Burnham with 
upward expansion in mind. The towers, each with about 600,000 square feet of 
space, would be located along the north and south sides of the station, 
which occupies the block bounded by Jackson Boulevard and Canal, Clinton and 
Adams Streets.

Construction would not start until a tenant agreed to lease about half of a 
tower, with completion by 2009 at the earliest. The station`s existing upper 
floors would be redeveloped into rental apartments, sources said.

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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org

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