Neat stuff. A couple of things that pop out:
- Amtrak service delayed until next year, date unknown. That's always risky.
- Greyhound pulled out. Wonder why.
- Same company that operates Chicago Union Station will manage this one which concerned me a bit. BUT a separate private enterprise (somehow related to bike storage) will offer showers for travelers! Finally someone it!
- First class lounge is as far away from the boarding area as possible in the concourse.
- No talk about whether the sky walk to the post office will be public or even used, or perhaps removed.
- DON'T wear a dress on the tours!
- Showers for travelers - hey the last time I saw that was in Chicago in the early 70's or so -- useful if one dared.
- Amtrak service "delayed" - most of us locals never knew it was even promised - surely not promised for any specific year. The SPUD has been refurbished before - nothing much came of it. Local media and even advocates of the project mostly ignored this project for the last 5 years or so, most recent coverage was some pix of the work, but no word on what the place might serve as or for. The light rail connection isn't scheduled for completion until early 2014.
There might could -possibly- be a commuter rail project ( the "Red Rock" line) in a decade or so, and maybe service to or thru Rochester MN in another decade. Maybe sooner, depending - but not even probable short-term. If the corridor MSP-DUluth ever happens that will logically stop where the Northstar stops now, by Target Field - and until the Northstar serves Saint Cloud, the Northstar is unlikely to meet its ridership goals.
Hoping some of the lowertown favorite eating places like Tanpopo might be able to lease space- but likely too pricey for most local eateries to even consider.
- Surprised me that Greyhound was ever in - now, there is, or was, a little-used shelter on University Avenue labeled "Greyhound" but there's not been any Greyhound service in downtown Saint Paul for years - maybe decades unless they used to stop at that little shelter - which is gone or relocated account of the light rail construction anyhow - or maybe there's some such thing somewhere - but riding the city bus or walking the stretch from Midway to downtown Saint Paul a few times a week - never seen it.. Want Greyhound, go the Minneapolis downtown and find it there if you can.
Megabus and Jefferson lines are the prime intercity bus services here, Jefferson - by their website - serves the U of M, Mall of America, the old downtown Minneapolis bus depot, the Airport, and the Amtrak Depot - the current one. Megabus stops in Downtown Minneapolis near the Metrodome, and on some trips at the U of M. The dog I haven't checked on in the last 15 years - Seems they have some schedules here -- not likely to try them with Amtrak, Megabus and Jefferson available - maybe I'm biased.
Megabus won't sign on to any station project, they proudly refuse to pay for a place to pick up pax. Jefferson lines might pay for a presence - but anyone in Saint Paul who wants their service can take the city bus or the light rail to the airport to catch their buses.
- There will be a First Class lounge? There's a small sort of one about as big as my small living room at the current Midway station - never used it though I've travelled sleeper class from MSP a few times recently. Hope the Wifi is better than at WAS.
- Won't wear a dress even if I take the tour - which I might -seems there's a lot I don't know about this project. Will probably wear jeans and/or overhauls.
Mostly what I care about this project is that sometime in the next 5 years I might have to take the city bus (or the new light rail) for a half hour to get there, rather than walking for 15 minutes to get to the present station.
Sorry to sound such a skeptic - SPUD is a beautiful old depot - but out-of-the-way for most travelers - about as much out-of-the-way as the current Midway depot. Maybe the new light rail line that is scheduled to start running in 2014 might make the connections better - hope so.
- Sky walk to the Post Office -- huh -- there's a big "For Sale" sign on the Post Office - if that means the grand 1930's building on Kellogg. No clue who or what the new tenant might be or what the building will be used for.
Hope the project succeeds.
