Saint Paul’s Union Depot was once a bustling hub for the region’s rail traffic, serving more than 200 passenger trains a day before it was shuttered 40 years ago. On June 26, the concourse was bustling with traffic once again as Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, joined a growing list of federal leaders who have visited Saint Paul to see for themselves the plans to transform the historic Union Depot into a multi-modal transportation hub.

“I came to Minnesota to see the future,” Speaker Pelosi said at a news conference following the tour. “If we give you the money, we know the dirt will fly. You are a model to the nation, and our hopes are riding with you on this project. This is the future, and this is a lot of money, but a small price to pay to take this region into the future.”

Speaker Pelosi addresses reporters at a news conference at the Union Depot.

Pelosi was joined by Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Congressman Keith Ellison, Congressman Jim Oberstar, and members of the Ramsey and Washington County Boards of Commissioners for a special tour to showcase the history of the building and the plans to restore the concourse and train platforms.

Ramsey County Commissioner Jim McDonough shows Speaker Pelosi artist renderings of the Union Depot after the renovations are complete.

“The project has already put 170 people to work and will employ 3,000 people when construction is in full swing next year,” said Ramsey County Commissioner Jim McDonough, chair of the Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority. “Union Depot also plays a key role in the revitalization of downtown Saint Paul, particularly the Lowertown Historic District. The related economic development will create jobs, short term and long term.”

As part of the tour, the group also received a special briefing by Mortenson Construction. The company is working with the Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority on the design concepts that will transform the train station into a transportation hub for Amtrak, commuter, high-speed, and light-rail trains, local and interstate buses, bicycles, and pedestrians.

Dan Mehls, director of project development for Mortenson Construction, shows Speaker Pelosi the design concepts for the renovated depot. Pictured are (from left to right) Congressman Keith Ellison; Mehls; Shar Knutson, president of the AFL-CIO; Dan Scott, chair of the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce’s transportation committee; Speaker Pelosi; Congresswoman Betty McCollum; Commissioner McDonough; Ramsey County Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt; Ramsey County Commissioner Rafael Ortega; Tim Mayisch, director of the Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority; and Congressman Jim Oberstar.

“You all have worked together to bring this project together and all that springs from it,” Speaker Pelosi said. “It’s exciting to see it all. It’s also hard to see why it didn’t happen sooner, but we are here today because it is happening now.”

The renovation is the largest public works project ever undertaken by Ramsey County in partnership with the business community and other governmental agencies. The strong local support and partnerships have helped maintain momentum as the project competes with others around the country for limited federal funding.

Congresswoman Betty McCollum (left) takes Speaker Pelosi on a tour of the Union Depot.

“This is a model project for the country on how to come together to work on a project,” said Congresswoman Betty McCollum. “Union Depot construction will start this fall because of the support we see here today.”

Dan Scott, former board chair and current transportation chair for the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce, talks with Speaker Pelosi about the partnership between business and government leaders to support transit projects that benefit the entire region.

“The prospects of what [the Union Depot] can become are amazing,” Speaker Pelosi said. “It is dazzling to see the cooperation between business, labor and government. It’s coming together because of leadership.”

One of Union Depot’s strongest supporters, Congressman Jim Oberstar, reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to the project and the funding needed to complete the construction. The entire project is estimated to cost approximately $240 million, $130 million of which has already been committed. Both Pelosi and Oberstar reaffirmed Congressional support to keep the project on track.

Congressman Jim Oberstar speaks to reporters at a news conference at the Union Depot.

This project has a national commitment. But it could not happen without local participation and the partnerships that have been forged,” said Oberstar. “We should not be a third-world country in passenger rail. We led the way in rail transportation, and we need to bring it back. We are going to get there.”

News coverage

• Pioneer Press
• Star Tribune
• KSTP

For more pictures, visit the On Board Midwest Flickr account.