Union Station is now under direct federal management to address crime and commercial stagnation.

At a Glance

• The U.S. Department of Transportation is reclaiming operational control of Union Station.
• While the FRA has long owned the property, day-to-day control had rested with Amtrak and a nonprofit.
• Secretary Sean Duffy cited rising crime and disrepair as reasons for the shift.
• The DOT aims to revitalize the station’s retail, infrastructure, and security systems.
• Full control is expected to be formalized in September 2025.

A Passive Stake Becomes Active

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a sweeping shift in Union Station’s governance during the August 27 unveiling of Amtrak’s NextGen Acela. Though the Federal Railroad Administration has long owned the property, the Department of Transportation will now exercise hands-on authority over its management. Duffy cited a combination of deteriorating infrastructure, safety concerns, and homelessness as the driving factors behind the decision.

Watch now: LIVE: Transportation Secretary announces DC Union Station takeover and Amtrak’s NextGen Acela · WJLA (ABC 7 News)

The move also targets what Duffy termed “unrealized commercial potential.” Union Station has faced stalled redevelopment efforts in recent years, and prior public-private management agreements—primarily with Amtrak and the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation—have yielded mixed results. The DOT will now renegotiate those agreements to prioritize federal objectives.

Priorities: Security, Retail, and Structural Upgrades

The department outlined plans for infrastructure overhauls, including new lighting, elevator repairs, roof replacement, and expanded security personnel. Beyond transit upgrades, the DOT also intends to revitalize the station’s commercial ecosystem. Vacant retail space and deferred maintenance have hampered its financial viability, and officials now plan to reinvest revenue into structural enhancements.

These efforts revive elements of an earlier, now-dormant $7 billion redevelopment vision, which included office space, hotels, and residential units. While no updated figures have been confirmed, officials suggest the revamped strategy will maintain those broader ambitions.

Broader Federal Strategy

The Union Station move reflects a larger trend of federal re-engagement with key D.C. institutions. In recent months, the Trump administration has asserted control over the city’s police department and bolstered National Guard deployments. Secretary Duffy framed the Union Station takeover as a necessary step to preserve a national transportation asset and ensure it functions effectively in line with federal priorities.

Formal reassertion of control is expected in September, marking a significant change in the governance of one of the nation’s busiest transit hubs.

Sources

Politico
The Washington Post
Wall Street Journal
Associated Press
WJLA (ABC 7 News)