South Bend announced federal grant funding to relocate Amtrak to historic Union Station

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The City of South Bend is one step closer to bringing Amtrak downtown. South Bend Mayor, James Mueller, and members of the common council were in attendance for the announcement Wednesday morning. Afterwards, attendees went inside to take a look at the historic building which will eventually be a working train station again. 

"This idea is alive. This idea is possible."

That idea? Bringing Amtrak to the historic Union Station in the heart of South Bend. On Wednesday, the City held a press conference formally announcing the 3.848M dollars in federal funding to advance the project.

Mayor Mueller says this planning grant will help them work through all the details.

"There's technical things on the tracks for how that gets connected and works, gets up and running. So, there's a lot of technical pieces, engineering pieces, and so the planning grant helps you pay for some of the engineering design, working through some of those practical details," explained Mueller.

The art deco building constructed in 1929 is in good shape. It was bought in July 2024 and taken care of by Kevin Smith, a local telecomm entrepreneur.

Marc Magliari, Amtrak spokesperson, says this gives the City a headstart because the building has been well preserved.

"There haven't been drop ceilings put all over the waiting room. We've seen that before. Parking is here. The tracks are here. Even the tunnel under the tracks is largely intact. It's a question of connecting that tunnel up to track level that's going to have to be looked at, and how much space we're going to need," shared Magliari.

The last time this station served passengers was 197. The current station is near the corner of Bendix and Meade streets which Magliari says needs some improvements.

"We have to improve the connection between that station building on Bendix and up to the track level, because right now it is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The platform itself needs work too. So, connecting the current platform at the current station to the current station will be a large part of what we have to get done, and we face a 2029 deadline to complete that."

Magliari said those improvements will be taken care of by the deadline.

The planning grant is just the first step in the process. Next step would be an implementation grant. Mayor Mueller shared it'll be several years before trains start coming through Union Station.