Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont joined New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Transportation Commissioner Joseph Giulietti and other officials to announce a partnership in managing Union Station in New Haven, which is owned by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT).
Under the terms of the partnership, the CTDOT and the City of New Haven would enter into a 35-year lease and funding agreement of New Haven Union Station. The agreement allows the city to lease and operate the Union Station Transportation Campus. Plans for the station include revamping the basement and first two floors of the station to provide new retail and amenity options for commuters, as well as improving stairs, elevators and escalators for future use of the upper station floors, and expanding public restrooms. The agreement establishes an executive oversight panel that includes the mayor of New Haven, and the CTDOT commissioner that will be responsible for strategic planning, budgeting, resolving major issues and redeveloping the station campus.
Plans also call for the redevelopment of surface lots on the campus through a public-private partnership, including the construction of a 600-space parking garage to include intermodal space for bike, transit and other parking.
The terms to the agreement have already been approved by the New Haven Board of Alders.
“Union Station has been a vital passenger hub for a century, and it remains one of the most magnificent stations in the nation,” Lamont said. “This partnership agreement between the City of New Haven and the Connecticut Department of Transportation positions the station to be both preserved and modernized to meet the transportation needs of the city and state for the 21st century and beyond.”
The signing comes just a year after the station’s centennial celebration. The station was designed by American architect Cass Gilbert and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is considered to be an architectural gem.
“Today, I want to invite everyone to step back and marvel at the history and beauty of this station,” Elicker said. “Then take a minute to recognize the significance of Union Station to our community well-being and the fact this 100-year-old train station serves as a transportation hub and a vital connector to cities and towns throughout our country. With housing units in the development pipeline and a growing center of excellence in the biosciences, we will continue to move forward with inclusive growth in the Hill to Downtown district and now we will have a robust transportation system including a strong regional airport, to support it.”
The station connects the New Haven Line running into New York City, the Hartford Line running north to Hartford and Springfield, and the Shoreline East line, running east to New London. It is a key link on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor.