Amtrak has taken the next step toward the redevelopment of Philadelphia 30^thStreet Station and adjacent properties with the release of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking a Master Developer partnership.

Amtrak is seeking a Master Developer partner capable of all aspects of project delivery to include design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of non-rail assets at Philadelphia 30^th Street Station, as well as expansion opportunities and commercial development of the surrounding Amtrak owned properties.

Historic 30^th Street Station is the third busiest station in Amtrak’s national system, serving more than 4 million Amtrak passengers and more than 12 million combined SEPTA and NJ TRANSIT rail commuters annually. With ridership predicted to double along the Northeast Corridor (NEC) by 2040, the RFQ is being issued as demand for passenger rail service continues at record levels.

In advance of the RFQ, Amtrak hosted an Industry Day at the University of Pennsylvania on July 28, 2017 to introduce prospective bidders and development industry representatives interested in the master development partnership.

Following strong industry response, Amtrak is now moving forward with a two-step procurement including the RFQ, followed by a Request for Proposals (RFP) that will be issued to a shortlist of qualified Master Developer teams. Solicitation remains open to all prospective bidders at this RFQ stage. Amtrak expects to announce the shortlist of Master Development partnership teams in early 2018.

Qualifications must be received on November 9, 2017 to be considered. The RFQ is available here.

The solicitation for the 30^th Street Station master development partnership is part of a larger corporate program to leverage Amtrak’s substantial asset portfolio. Focused on innovative strategies for sustainable financial performance and infrastructure reinvestment, this program includes other opportunities being pursued at Amtrak stations such as Chicago Union Station and Baltimore Penn Station.

Rina Cutler, Amtrak Senior Director of Major Station Planning and Development, said:

“Philadelphia 30th Street Station is one of the most critical assets in our national network. A Master Developer partnership lays the groundwork to deliver a world-class multimodal hub on the Northeast Corridor. We are seeking an innovative partner who understands the vision for Philadelphia, respects the surrounding neighborhoods, and is excited to partner on a plan that will significantly improve the experience for all travelers, while maximizing the value of our strategic assets.”

Peter Waldt, Amtrak Senior Director Commercial Planning and Development, stated:

“Now with the 30th Street Station Master Developer solicitation process beginning, several of Amtrak’s major stations are undergoing redevelopment. These redevelopment efforts will allow Amtrak to better utilize existing assets to drive the core business, realize substantial infusions of private capital, identify new sources of revenue that can be reinvested into the system, demonstrate a more sophisticated acumen for operating as a business and, most importantly, improve the customer experience.”