148 replies to this topic

[jmbgeg]

http://www.wsdot.wa....tionfunding.htm

[RRrich]

Willthere be a Metro Lounge?

[jmbgeg]

Willthere be a Metro Lounge?

I have heard nothing indicating there will be.

[CHamilton]

I heard a few days ago that while much of the renovation at the north end of the building is actually complete, it hasn't been opened yet because of budget limitations. The city of Seattle (which now owns the building) hasn't come up with the money for a new baggage carousel, which Amtrak is requiring. And there's no money to work on the upper floors, either. So although I think there was a Metropolitan Lounge in the original plans, it probably won't happen in the immediate future.

[EMDF9A]

I heard a few days ago that while much of the renovation at the north end of the building is actually complete, it hasn't been opened yet because of budget limitations. The city of Seattle (which now owns the building) hasn't come up with the money for a new baggage carousel, which Amtrak is requiring. And there's no money to work on the upper floors, either. So although I think there was a Metropolitan Lounge in the original plans, it probably won't happen in the immediate future.

I've heard the talk about the baggage carousel also. But I have also heard that it will include a Met Lounge. (Of course that was last summer) so plans may have changed.

[CHamilton]

More details at More Money for King Street Station

[The Chief]

The original restoration plans, according to Washington St. DOT (circa 2006-07), were to include Metropolitan Lounge near trackside. Let's hope this happens.

Ongoing Phase TI started this year and is targeted to finish 1Q or 2Q 2012. TI includes ticketing, baggage and office upgrades for Amtrak tenant.
Here's helpful and informative link to King Street Station restoration project site. FY 2011 Seattle ridership was 672,485, with $45.3 million ticketing revenue. The restoration project returns a lot of the original aesthetic beauty. Designers also collaborated on Grand Central Station in NYC, so there are some similarities between these "bookend" stations.

[PaulM]

I heard a few days ago that while much of the renovation at the north end of the building is actually complete, it hasn't been opened yet because of budget limitations. The city of Seattle (which now owns the building) hasn't come up with the money for a new baggage carousel, which Amtrak is requiring. And there's no money to work on the upper floors, either. So although I think there was a Metropolitan Lounge in the original plans, it probably won't happen in the immediate future.

I'm not following here. If the city owns the building, how can Amtrak prevent it from opening one end of it?

And more to the point, why would Amtrak even want to prevent the city from opening it, just because it doesn't contain everything Amtrak wants?

[Rail Freak]

I was thru Seattle on Nov 10th & noticed they have been busy inside and out. I made a comment to the ticket agent & he said the present ticket counter was going to be moved to the oppasite side of the room. Also the baggage check area that I saw in 2008 was no longer there & was next to the present ticket counter with a carousel( not a fancy one, but...). They have removed the drop ceiling tiles so the original ceiling is revealed. That will be nice, once cleaned up!!!
Also Portland (PDX) has done quite a bit to the outside of the station!!!
Washington, DC (WUS) has done alot of changes to the shops & restaurants around the main hall, since I was therel!!
RF

Edited by Rail Freak, 23 November 2011 - 03:07 PM.

[EMDF9A]

I was thru Seattle on Nov 10th & noticed they have been busy inside and out. I made a comment to the ticket agent & he said the present ticket counter was going to be moved to the oppasite side of the room. Also the baggage check area that I saw in 2008 was no longer there & was next to the present ticket counter with a carousel( not a fancy one, but...). They have removed the drop ceiling tiles so the original ceiling is revealed. That will be nice, once cleaned up!!!
Also Portland (PDX) has done quite a bit to the outside of the station!!!
Washington, DC (WUS) has done alot of changes to the shops & restaurants around the main hall, since I was therel!!
RF

The Portland work on their station is part of earthquake retro-fitting.

[jmbgeg]

The original restoration plans, according to Washington St. DOT (circa 2006-07), were to include Metropolitan Lounge near trackside. Let's hope this happens.

Ongoing Phase TI started this year and is targeted to finish 1Q or 2Q 2012. TI includes ticketing, baggage and office upgrades for Amtrak tenant.
Here's helpful and informative link to King Street Station restoration project site. FY 2011 Seattle ridership was 672,485, with $45.3 million ticketing revenue. The restoration project returns a lot of the original aesthetic beauty. Designers also collaborated on Grand Central Station in NYC, so there are some similarities between these "bookend" stations.

I am all for historic preservation and restoration of the character of the facility. That said, please deal with the functional issues (like a Metropolitan lounge) concurrently. Don't complete all the beautification work first and foremost to the exclusion of customer amenities.

Edited by jmbgeg, 23 November 2011 - 10:09 PM.

[Devil's Advocate]

I heard a few days ago that while much of the renovation at the north end of the building is actually complete, it hasn't been opened yet because of budget limitations. The city of Seattle (which now owns the building) hasn't come up with the money for a new baggage carousel, which Amtrak is requiring. And there's no money to work on the upper floors, either. So although I think there was a Metropolitan Lounge in the original plans, it probably won't happen in the immediate future.

I'm not following here. If the city owns the building, how can Amtrak prevent it from opening one end of it?

And more to the point, why would Amtrak even want to prevent the city from opening it, just because it doesn't contain everything Amtrak wants?

I'd like to see an answer to these questions as well.

[CHamilton]

I don't know the answers, but will post if I get more info.

[D T Nelson]

I heard a few days ago that while much of the renovation at the north end of the building is actually complete, it hasn't been opened yet because of budget limitations. The city of Seattle (which now owns the building) hasn't come up with the money for a new baggage carousel, which Amtrak is requiring. And there's no money to work on the upper floors, either. So although I think there was a Metropolitan Lounge in the original plans, it probably won't happen in the immediate future.

I'm not following here. If the city owns the building, how can Amtrak prevent it from opening one end of it?

And more to the point, why would Amtrak even want to prevent the city from opening it, just because it doesn't contain everything Amtrak wants?

I have no data, but I suspect the situation is, Amtrak says it won't use the new ticket counters and baggage area until all the baggage handling equipment is installed, so the city is choosing to not open that part of the station. I mean, why would you -- the nice new areas would get all funked up to no purpose. The upstairs floors are to be leased out to other parties, so Amtrak isn't involved there, except for a new elevator which will allow one to get from the first floor (waiting room and etc., King Street entrance) to the second floor (Jackson Street entrance). I haven't seen a Metropolitan Lounge in any of the plans or presentations about the renovation.

Here are some recent pictures of the renovation, for example, the new ticket counters, in the area originally occupied by the restaurant (before most of us were born):

[gswager]

The picture of new Amtrak ticket office looks nice with an exception of modern ceiling and its light.

[Rail Freak]

The picture of new Amtrak ticket office looks nice with an exception of modern ceiling and its light.

When I was there a couple of weeks ago, I must have been asleep as I did not see these ticket windows! But, I did spend time reading large boards about the history of the station, maybe these boards were covering the ticket windows! Or old age is doing a # on me!

Edited by Rail Freak, 25 November 2011 - 04:52 PM.

[D T Nelson]

The picture of new Amtrak ticket office looks nice with an exception of modern ceiling and its light.

When I was there a couple of weeks ago, I must have been asleep as I did not see these ticket windows! But, I did spend time reading large boards about the history of the station, maybe these boards were covering the ticket windows! Or old age is doing a # on me!

You would not have seen the new ticket windows because they are in the area of the station that is not open yet. They are to the north of the waiting room, in an area closed off to the public.

[yarrow]

please deal with the functional issues (like a Metropolitan lounge)

i'm not sure a first class lounge is essential to the funtioning of the station

[jmbgeg]

please deal with the functional issues (like a Metropolitan lounge)

i'm not sure a first class lounge is essential to the funtioning of the station

Your opinion. Not one of this 25,000 mile plus per year passenger.

[Rail Freak]

The picture of new Amtrak ticket office looks nice with an exception of modern ceiling and its light.

When I was there a couple of weeks ago, I must have been asleep as I did not see these ticket windows! But, I did spend time reading large boards about the history of the station, maybe these boards were covering the ticket windows! Or old age is doing a # on me!

You would not have seen the new ticket windows because they are in the area of the station that is not open yet. They are to the north of the waiting room, in an area closed off to the public.

Thanx, they are doing a nice job! I hope I get to see the finished project!!!
RF