Congresswoman Betty McCollum announced today that the Union Depot has been awarded a $35 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Discretionary Grant.

“We are a huge step closer to making Union Depot a multi-modal transportation hub. We have the right vision and plan for our region, and today we have another investment to move things forward. Today we are celebrating the Obama administration’s commitment to help support and pay for this vision,” said McCollum.

The TIGER grants, which were funded by $1.5 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, were awarded to 51 projects across the country that will have a significant impact on the nation, a region, or a metropolitan area; create jobs; and benefit economically distressed areas. The federal government also gave priority to projects that are construction-ready, that will quickly create and preserve jobs, and that will stimulate rapid increases in economic activity.

“We are closer to making it possible to put thousands of skilled workers back on the job. Trade and labor are proud to stand with business and government to make projects like this happen,” said Harry Melander, president of Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council.

The Union Depot renovations, which were included in the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s comprehensive statewide rail plan, are supported by a strong partnership between the public and private sectors.

“This federal funding is a testament to the strength of our regional collaboration. The hard work of city, county, state, and federal elected officials; our congressional delegation; and the Obama administration has helped turn this idea into a reality,” said Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman.

“Years ago, Ramsey County understood what the Depot meant to our history when we worked hard to protect it.  Now we can all see how important it will be to our future,” said Ramsey County Commissioner Jim McDonough, chair of the Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority. “Today the vision is taking shape, and this grant award is another big step forward for us all. Union Depot clearly has new momentum and critically important support from the United States Department of Transportation.”

The Union Depot renovation project will create hundreds of jobs and will help revitalize economic development in Saint Paul and the entire region.

“The Union Depot project will inspire others to look to Saint Paul as a place they want to visit, live, or bring jobs. My job is to help people understand why this city is a special place, and today’s news makes my job easier,” said Coleman.

Saint Paul’s historic Union Depot was once a bustling hub for the region’s rail traffic. The renovations will transform the train station into a multi-modal transportation hub with facilities for Amtrak, commuter, high-speed, and light-rail transit.

“The Union Depot is more than just a single project for Minnesota. It is part of an entire system that will bring together new ways for people to move from place to place,” said State Representative Alice Hausman. “Minnesota now has a clear vision and a plan for rail transit in our future. The challenge now is to do the work to bring the plan to life. Today is a big step in that direction. The county, the state, and the federal government are invested and committed to making this happen.”

“James J. Hill many years ago understood the importance of this spot as a place to move goods from barges to trains to connect with the rest of the country. The result was a thriving community with a dynamic economy. Today we are taking another step forward to learn from our history as we shape our future,” said Susan Kimberly, interim director of the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce.

Click here to view the full list of projects receiving TIGER grants.

For more information, view the following media coverage:

• Star Tribune
• Pioneer Press
• MinnPost
• Minneapolis-Saint Paul Business Journal
• HometownSource
  
• Minnesota Public Radio
• KARE
• KSTP