Additional Coverage:
- White House ‘making America beautiful again’ after restoring Columbus Circle fountain (irishstar.com)
The Trump administration announced plans to invest over $460 million in upgrading Washington’s Union Station, following the federal government’s restoration of control over the facility last year, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy revealed on Thursday.
Speaking at the reopening ceremony of Columbus Circle in Washington, D.C., Duffy stated, “In our effort to follow the president’s call to make D.C. beautiful and great again, we are awarding a $465 million grant from the Department of Transportation to Union Station.”
The event celebrated the refurbishment of the 15-foot-tall Christopher Columbus Memorial Fountain, a prominent feature of Columbus Circle located near Union Station Plaza. After an $11.79 million restoration project, water has begun flowing through the fountain’s plumbing for the first time in nearly 20 years.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum praised the revitalization, calling Columbus Circle “a historic front door to Washington, D.C.” and noting it is now ready once again to welcome visitors, crediting the president’s support.
Looking ahead, Secretary Duffy outlined a series of planned improvements funded by the grant. These include urgent structural repairs, such as fixing the station’s leaky roof, enhancing passenger amenities like the Amtrak lounge and ticketing areas, and upgrading security measures. Additionally, a comprehensive redesign will modernize retail spaces, parking, and offices, introducing digital signage and family-friendly infrastructure.
The reopening ceremony drew notable attendees, including Doug Burgum, Sean Duffy, Andrew Giuliani-Executive Director of the White House Task Force for the 2026 FIFA World Cup-along with the Italian and Spanish ambassadors to the United States and representatives from the National Italian American Foundation.
This extensive investment aims to preserve and modernize one of the nation’s key transportation hubs, improving the experience for travelers while unlocking the station’s full revenue potential.