Amtrak, US’s intercity passenger rail service and its high-speed rail operator, has launched a request for qualification (RFQ) to select a Master Developer for commercial elements of Chicago Union Station (CUS) and neighboring properties.

The selected bidder will be responsible for 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. The plan must also harmonize with growing passenger volumes at CUS.

The Amtrak-owned area within the RFQ is 14.07 acres, which includes 613,075 square feet of total land area and 1,328,804 total square feet of building area, in addition to 1,679 parking spaces and approximately 3,000,000 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.

A mandatory pre-proposal meeting will be held on June 9. Interested parties must submit their qualification document on or before July 1, 2016.

Stephen Gardner, Amtrak Executive Vice President, Infrastructure Development, stated:

“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. 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.”

Mayor Rahm Emanuel commented:

“By transforming Union Station into a modern transit hub for Chicago we will create economic opportunities that will reach every corner of the city. Today we are taking an important step towards this transformation, and I look forward moving ahead in this process so we soon break ground and ensure Chicago stays a city on the move.”

See RFQ: http://infrapppworld.com/documents/projects/chicago-union-station-p3-project-51.pdf