» Schenectady Station Improvement Concepts Unveiled

Improvements for the Schenectady Amtrak Station took a step closer to becoming a reality as three design concepts were unveiled as a November 143, 2006 public community workshop. Over 40 members of the general public hear engineering and architectural firm Kise, Straw and Kolodner present preliminary concepts and options for comment and input.

The offered conceptual options were: (links are to PDF Files)

A modernistic glass-clad rehabilitation of the existing building, connected by a glass roofed open air walk way to a bus stop in State Street.

A rebuilt brick station at the current location with a footprint of approximately 150% of the current station’s size. Included in this two-story design is an enclosed connector to State Street and retail space. This design was favored by the vast majority of the citizens who attended the meeting.

A relocation of the present station to front on State Street. This single story design concept includes retail space and is reminiscent of a traditional railroad freight house.

Other improvements discussed included enhancements to the present Liberty Street underpass adjacent to the station and the potential for a pedestrian passageway under the existing railroad viaduct to North Broadway by opening up the existing empty space. The potential for integration with intercity bus service was also discussed. The consulting firm said it will present a single final design to the public in early 2007.

The station improvement project would be funded in part by a $1.1 million federal grant secured by local Congressman Michael McNulty. The grant is being manager by the Capital District Transportation Authority, which built and owns the Rensselaer train station and managed the overhaul of the Saratoga Springs station. The regional transportation improvement plan calls for up to $6.8 million, of local, state and federal funding, to be spent on Schenectady station improvements in 2008 and 2009.

The current Amtrak station is built on a portion of the former 1906 Schenectady Union Station site originally owned by the New York Central Railroad and also used by the Delaware and Hudson Railroad. This station was torn down in 1972. The current building was constructed in the last ‘70’s and serves six daily round trips to Montreal, Rutland, VT, Chicago, Niagara Falls, Toronto, ON and New York City.

Station Concept #1

Station Concept #2

Station Concept #3