As Starbucks exits, Union Station struggles with safety, empty stores

[IronLionZion]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2022/07/29/dc-union-station-starbucks/

The closure of a Starbucks because of ‘challenging incidents’ is adding fuel to concerns about the conditions of Washington’s busiest transit hub



Starbucks is departing Union Station on Sunday while citing safety concerns at the iconic transit hub. Although crime has fallen in recent years, so too have passenger counts, occupied storefronts and foot traffic, creating a dreary backdrop at a once-vibrant gateway to the nation’s capital.

A Washington fixture for more than a century, Union Station is the region’s busiest commuter facility, the first stop for many visitors and a dining spot for tourists and local residents. But between its marble floors and 96-foot coffered ceilings is an outdated and deteriorating station showing signs of neglect.

Businesses are closing amid a pandemic that shifted commuter behaviors. As fewer travelers use the station, city officials and nonprofits have increasingly turned attention to those inside who are homeless or suffering from mental illness. Meanwhile, a rise in high-profile incidents in and around the hub has boosted a perception of insecurity.

While transit centers across the United States historically have served as shelters for the homeless, experts say there is anecdotal evidence to suggest that trend is increasing in the pandemic’s third year. Union Station is in line for a multibillion-dollar revamp over two decades, but first must overcome a growing sense of unease as businesses shutter and rail traffic struggles to reach pre-pandemic levels.

In announcing the closure of 16 stores earlier this month, Starbucks cited “a high volume of challenging incidents that make it unsafe to continue to operate,” although the company declined to elaborate on incidents specific to Union Station. A Starbucks spokeswoman said problems at the closing locations mirror challenges within their surrounding communities, including rising drug use, chronic homelessness and mental health issues.

I have mixed feelings about Union Station as I've spent a lot of time there when I worked nearby. I still live walking distance from it. But it has to be the filthiest place in DC. They should do some cleanup to make it look better and attract customers.