Norton to Hold First Comprehensive Union Station Hearing to Focus on Direction of Complex (7/21/08)

Norton to Hold First Comprehensive Union Station Hearing to Focus on Direction of Complex and Current Issues

July 21, 2008

Washington, DC -- Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC)will hold the first hearing on Union Station since its historic renovation was authorized in 1981, on Tuesday, July 22, at 10 a.m. in room 2167 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The comprehensive hearing will focus not only on management and security, but also on problems of public access and slow progress on meeting the Congressional mandate that Union Station become one of the most important intermodal centers in the nation.

Unable to hold hearings while in the minority, Norton said she now intends to do regular oversight and to take a fresh look at the management of Union Station, which is embarking on a makeover in the retail section of the station. Among the issues that have been raised are complaints from photographers about access, as well as confusing and inconsistent enforcement by security guards and slow progress in providing intercity bus transportation here, at a time when people are turning in increasing numbers to public transportation.

Witnesses include; Erin McCann, Photographers Rights Activist; David Ball, President, Union Station Redevelopment Corporation; Bryant Chambers, Assistant General Manager, Jones Lang LaSalle; Daniel Levy, Counsel, Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation; David Leach, President and CEO, Greyhound Lines, Inc.; Thomas Wilbur, Senior Vice President, Akridge Corporation; Emeke Moneme, Director, District Department of Transportation.