5A8 Budget Request (Union Station Planning-Analysis) - Signed

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South Bend Redevelopment Commission 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Room 301, South Bend, Indiana Redevelopment Commission Agenda Item DATE: 12/08/2025 FROM: Allison Doctor, Project Manager Leslie Biek, Assistant City Engineer SUBJECT: Budget Request Union Station Consultant Services Funding Source* (circle) River West; River East; South Side; Douglas Road; West Washington; RDC General; Riv. East Res. *Funds are subject to the City Controller's determination of availability; if funds are unavailable, as solely determined by the City Controller, then the authorization of the expenditure of such funds shall be void and of no effect. PURPOSE OF REQUEST: Budget request of $130,000 for professional services to support two key steps in returning passenger rail to Union Station: 1) feasibility analyses for a center platform and tunnel access to the platform; and 2) preparation for a federal grant opportunity. SPECIFICS: In August of 2024, the Redevelopment Commission acquired Union Station with the purpose of exploring its reactivation as a passenger rail station. The City has been exploring funding opportunities and has had productive meetings with Amtrak but needs to explore two key considerations: (1) the feasibility of a platform between the two existing rail tracks; and, 2) whether the existing tunnel can be repurposed to access a center platform. The City has engaged WSP, an engineering and consulting firm with expertise in railroad design, to assist the City with these analyses. A portion of this funding request would allow WSP to proceed with these studies. Additionally, the City is preparing an application for the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail (FSP) Grant Program. If awarded, the grant would help the City make substantial progress in its goal to reactivate Union Station and return passenger rail service to downtown. WSP’s expertise and experience preparing similar applications, particularly the highly-technical benefit cost analysis, will make our submission more competitive. In 2024, WSP prepared an application on behalf of the City for this same funding opportunity; however, the DOT subsequently canceled the competition during the federal funding freeze. Since then, DOT has released a new funding opportunity under this same program and encouraged the City to reapply. A portion of this funding request would allow WSP to complete the benefit-cost analysis and assist with the grant narrative. The requested funds will help continue the City’s exploration of returning passenger rail to downtown. Staff recommends approval. ______________ ___________Pres/V-Pres ATTEST: __________ ________Secretary Date: _____________ _______ APPROVED Not Approved SOUTH BEND REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION December 11, 2025 