Union Station In Need Of Repairs

Union Station, one of Indy’s most historic and recognizable structures, needs about $7 million worth of work. 

Adam Thies, director of the city’s Department of Metropolitan Development, says the list of repairs is based on an inspection.

"Just like your own house what happens when you go and have an inspection at your house, you find out all the things that you didn't think were wrong, maybe are wrong," explains Thies. "We're going to be announcing that to the MDC today, the results of that inspection, how much we expect that to cost in terms of maintenance and repairs and we're going to be tackling that."

The high priority items total nearly $3 million, the most pressing of which is a $1.5 million reconstruction of a south wall along which CSX and Amtrak trains run. 

In recent years, the Metropolitan Development Commission has financed emergency upkeep projects, totaling more than $700,000. 

Thies says they’ll have to look beyond tax increment financing dollars that they’ve relied on so far for repairs.

"We will look at federal grants, we'll look at other partners and last resort is some of the city money funding," says Thies.

Other fixes needed include new roofs, stairs, skylights, chimneys, masonry, concrete and plaster work.

Today the building is almost at capacity.  The city leases space to numerous tenants like Crowne Plaza Hotel, Greyhound and IMPD.