Overview

Union Station is the region’s primary transit hub, connecting Southern California counties whose combined population totals more than 17 million. Metro purchased the iconic downtown LA station in 2011.

More than 60,000 travelers and commuters access the station’s transit providers, which include Metro bus and rail lines, Metrolink commuter rail, Amtrak long-distance rail, and numerous municipal carriers and specialty shuttles with connections to downtown Los Angeles. As Measure R funds Metro’s system expansion, Union Station is expected to see upwards of 100,000 boardings per day.

The Union Station Master Plan will develop Metro’s vision and plan to guide future development at the station, including transit operations, enhanced pedestrian access, and new private and/or public real estate development.  

Project Goals

Create a great destination
Building on the significant attributes of Union Station, the Master Plan will shape the city’s premier destination for transit users, residents and visitors. Potential enhancements include creating a public space that is sensitive to the site’s historic and cultural fabric and adjacent neighborhoods. 

Celebrate the site’s history
The Master Plan will celebrate the station and embrace all adjacent neighborhoods’ rich history, providing for development that complements the station’s architecture and heritage to reinforce Union Station’s place in history. 

Provide connectivity to adjacent neighborhoods
One of the Master Plan’s primary goals is to create greater accessibility to Union Station from surrounding neighborhoods. 

Improve the Union Station passenger experience
A program of improvements -- ranging from upgraded signage to expanded services -- will be designed to enhance each passenger’s visit.

Prepare for High Speed Rail
The Master Plan will be flexible to accommodate anticipated future arrival of high speed rail (HSR) serving Union Station. 

Project Schedule

June 2012	Consultant contract award
September 2012	Project kick-off
Fall 2012	Data collection and analysis Stakeholder engagement Union Station Technical Advisory Committee meeting
Winter 2012	Community kick-off Presentation of program to the Metro Board of Directors
Spring-Summer 2013	Development of Conceptual Alternative Plans Union Station Advisory Committee meeting Public workshop #1 (preliminary conceptual alternatives) Public workshop #2 (refined conceptual alternatives) Present refined conceptual alternatives to Metro Board of Directors
Spring 2014	Presentation of Preferred Plan to Metro Board of Directors Public workshops