Amtrak seeking CUS Master Developer

Amtrak is seeking responses to a Request For Qualification (RFQ) for a Master Developer for commercial elements of Chicago Union Station (CUS) and neighboring properties.

The Amtrak-owned area within the RFQ is 14.07 acres, which includes 613,075 square feet of total land area and 1.33 million total square feet of building area, in addition to 1,679 parking spaces and approximately three million total buildable square feet of excess air-rights. The CUS complex is primarily comprised of the Concourse, Mezzanine, Headhouse, Amtrak Parking Garage, and the North and South Train Sheds. Ongoing investments made by Amtrak include upgrades to the station’s Headhouse building that included asbestos abatement, sprinkler systems, and installation of air conditioning.

“Any development solution envisioned by the selected proposer will need to align with Amtrak operational goals as well as integrate successfully with the surrounding West Loop neighborhood,” Amtrak said. “It is critical that the Master Developer successfully engage the community and incorporate feedback from West Loop stakeholders into any development plan.”

Amtrak added that the RFQ and future phases of the Master Development process “are part of a larger corporate program to leverage the substantial Amtrak asset portfolio.”

Amtrak sought local, regional and national developers interested in the opportunity to redevelop the Amtrak-owned station and surrounding land parcels, as well as improvements to both passenger and employee facilities, in October 2015. “Industry response was strong and helped to craft the RFQ,” Amtrak said.

Responses to the RFQ are due by July 1, 2016. Those interested in submitting a response must contact [email protected] with Amtrak Procurement. “Only those firms that successfully respond by that date will be considered capable of all aspects of project delivery, including an implementable Master Development Plan, design, construction, financing the potential operation and maintenance of non-rail assets, as well as identification of expansion opportunities and commercial development in the surrounding West Loop neighborhood,” Amtrak said. “The plan must also harmonize with growing passenger volumes at CUS.”

“Amtrak believes that bringing in private equity through a Master Developer can best achieve the desired outcome that optimizes CUS as an asset that serves more than 33 million travelers and commuters per year,” said Executive Vice President Infrastructure Development Stephen Gardner. “We look forward to continued communication with the development community to find a talented partner to assist us in transforming Chicago Union Station into a world-class transportation facility that is further woven into the fabric of the great city in which it resides.”