Not only will the Federal Government back the FasTracks projects for the Gold Line and East Corridor, but Union Station Redevelopment can now get underway.
Administrator Rogoff joined RTD’s General Manager Phil Washington, Colorado’s U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper for an announcement ceremony on the west side of Union Station. The main reason for the gathering had been the announcement of the Federal intention to help fund the next big steps in the FasTrack plan. “I see the trains!” exclaimed RTD’s Washington.
But, just as importantly to Downtown and the LoDo neighborhood, Rogoff also brought the long-awaited news of the final $300 million in Federal loans to the package of financing needed to start the Union Station Redevelopment. “All the funding is now in place”, announced the Administrator to the crowd of about 200.
(above: Rogoff, Bennet and the Mayor, r to l)
The crowd was ecstatic as most members of the involved stakeholders in the station project were there in the sunshine, along with all the politicos, press, neighborhood representatives and only a naysayer or two. This whole effort, approved by the voters in 2004 including the transit hub and FasTracks, was described as the single most ambitious transit project currently under way in the country.
As reported yesterday on Denver by the Slice, construction will begin immediately now that the funding is there. Watch initially for the start of moving the light rail tracks to the west and their new terminus…and the digging of a very big hole. Ultimately, thousands of new jobs will be created in the construction and the development of this transit hub. And, ultimately, we’ll be able to take the train to the airport. From the station.
Downtown residents should enjoy watching this all develop. Dig, Baby, Dig!
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