Mailliw
OBS Chief
I'm having lunch right now at Unos before catching my train, it's really depressing upstairs. Mostly dark and empty storefronts.
Mall's, which is what Union Station had been turned into before the Pandemic are a Dying Breed, so more Trains are what is needed @ Union Station.I'm having lunch right now at Unos before catching my train, it's really depressing upstairs. Mostly dark and empty storefronts.
I think they did that to eliminate long lines in the "hallway" between the gates and storesAlso what is up with the seating in the waiting areas now? There are huge empty spaces where seats used to be, but remaining seats are all close together pre-pandemic style.
Wow this was actually a great article. @joelkfla thank you for the unlocked link!Anyone know the status of Amtrak's lawsuit to get full control of Union Station?
I personally won't miss Starbucks, but hate to see this place deteriorate.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2022/07/29/dc-union-station-starbucks/
However, the very popular DC Circulator bus runs all along the National Mall and on to WUS. (Actually, the stop is at the edge of Columbus Circle about half a block from the station's front entrance.)The Pizzeria Uno Bar and grill has been a reliable option for eating during layovers. Union Station is physically located in an out-of-the-way area that would limit people going there for reasons other than catching trains.
IMHO the Washing Metro does not conveniently connect Union station to the mall and the museums.
This couldn't be further from the truth. It's right in the middle of the city with the above mentioned bus service and metro service.Union Station is physically located in an out-of-the-way area that would limit people going there for reasons other than catching trains.
And it is a short walk to the Capitol. How much more central can you get?This couldn't be further from the truth. It's right in the middle of the city with the above mentioned bus service and metro service.
Really? There are several Metro stations within 4 blocks of the Mall/Museum. At least 2 are on the Red Line. The others are easy transfers from the Red Line.IMHO the Washing Metro does not conveniently connect Union station to the mall and the museums.
And it is a short walk to the Capitol. How much more central can you get?
The Pizzeria Uno Bar and grill has been a reliable option for eating during layovers. Union Station is physically located in an out-of-the-way area that would limit people going there for reasons other than catching trains.
IMHO the Washing Metro does not conveniently connect Union station to the mall and the museums.
I disagree, it's right in the Middle of the Capitol Hill Complex, and there's lots of Transportation and Activity (in the Daytime) all over the area.The Pizzeria Uno Bar and grill has been a reliable option for eating during layovers. Union Station is physically located in an out-of-the-way area that would limit people going there for reasons other than catching trains.
IMHO the Washing Metro does not conveniently connect Union station to the mall and the museums.
Not to mention the Connector bus svc if that is still running.Really? There are several Metro stations within 4 blocks of the Mall/Museum. At least 2 are on the Red Line. The others are easy transfers from the Red Line.
I lived in DC area for a long time (and still do) and many times walked from Capitol Hill and other DC areas to Union Station (or vice versa). The metro also connects right there as do numerous bus lines and DC metro is also right there to take you to various places in DC, VA, and MD. There is or was also a streetcar going from the back into H st NE. And there is or was the Connector buses which take you to various neighborhoods. At Union Station the MARC train takes commuters and others to to MD, and the VRE takes them to Virginia. Several long-distance bus lines also leave from there and it is possible to take Metro from Union Station to DCA and, as of today, to Dulles Airport. (It's also possible to take the MARC train from Union Station to BWI. Union Station is right in the city. You are a few blocks from the Capitol, Chinatown, etc. The Connector goes right to the Mall as do a couple metro stops. Really it is quite easy to get to, from, and to many parts of DC from Union Station.Wow this was actually a great article. @joelkfla thank you for the unlocked link!
Starbucks definitely did not leave because of safety concerns and "challenging incidents". Probably due to low customers due to extremely low commuter rail and Metro ridership. Their anti-union activities don't help either.
The whole situation at WAS is summed up pretty well here by DC Council member Charles Allen: “But a lot of this, I believe, is ultimately driven by the fact that Union Station isn’t woven into the surrounding community like it needs to be to thrive. There’s little reason to go inside if you aren’t trying to catch a train.”
I lived in DC for two years and had family there for north of 30. Never once did any of us ever think about going to Union unless it was to catch a train. Everything but the "new" concourse is a beautiful space that could be worth spending time in with great, affordable, healthy food options, space to sit and relax, and revitalizing Columbus Circle outside to be more welcoming to every mode of transportation along with green space. The DC Streetcar is a joke and dedicated lanes, a proper connection to Union, and an extension west to Georgetown. Bike lanes, bus lanes, businesses, and residential units. The parking garage is hardly used anymore and the bus terminal is embarrassing.
No idea why the government thought it was a good idea to give control of the station to anyone but Amtrak in the 80s.
It is so disconnected from the city and that needs to be remedied, fast. That doesn't mean 18 years. That means less than 5 for god's sake.
Apparently it's an unpopular opinion but I agree with you on this one - both on Uno Pizzeria being the best place to eat and on Union Station not exactly being the center of town. The silver / blue / orange lines offer a one-seat ride between basically all of DC's biggest tourist destinations, but getting to Union Station requires a transfer to the red line. Same goes for walking: there are all sorts of museums and monuments between the Capitol and the reflecting pool, but between Union Station and the Capitol is just a 20 minute walk among uninviting office buildings and an unremarkable, if pretty, park. As to the bus - I will only say that the people discussing it will know better than me becaise I've never once ridden it.The Pizzeria Uno Bar and grill has been a reliable option for eating during layovers. Union Station is physically located in an out-of-the-way area that would limit people going there for reasons other than catching trains.
IMHO the Washing Metro does not conveniently connect Union station to the mall and the museums.
Union Station not exactly being the center of town
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