Union Station (Meridian, Mississippi) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Meridian, MS
Other names	Meridian Multi-Modal Transportation Center Union Station
Location	1901 Front Street Meridian, Mississippi United States
Coordinates	32°21′50″N 88°41′47″W / 32.3639°N 88.6964°W / 32.3639; -88.6964
Owned by	City of Meridian
Line(s)	Alabama Great Southern Railway Meridian Speedway
Platforms	2 island platforms
Tracks	3 (2 in use)
Connections	Amtrak Thruway Greyhound Lines
Other information
Status	Unstaffed
Station code	Amtrak: MEI
History
Rebuilt	December 1997
Traffic
Passengers (FY2019)	9,173 (Amtrak)
Services
Preceding station Amtrak Following station Laurel toward New Orleans Crescent Tuscaloosa toward New York
Former services Lua error in Module:Adjacent_stations at line 236: Unknown line "Dyersburg-Mobile".

Union Station, also known as the Meridian Multi-Modal Transportation Center, is a special building in Meridian, Mississippi. It helps people travel using different types of transportation. You can find it at 1901 Front Street.

This station is part of the Union Station Historic District. This area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The station was officially opened on December 11, 1997. It combines a new part with a restored section of the old 1906 building.

Today, Union Station is a hub for travelers. It offers Amtrak train service and Greyhound Lines bus services. Other bus companies also use the station.

Upstairs, there are meeting rooms for community events. The old east wing now holds Meridian's economic development office. Next to the station, an old Railway Express Agency building was turned into the Meridian Railroad Museum. Here, visitors can learn about Meridian's rich history with trains.

History of Union Station

The First Train Station

Postcard of original Union Station

Meridian's train story began in the 1850s. Two major train lines, the Mobile & Ohio and the Alabama and Vicksburg, met here. This meeting point helped Meridian grow quickly.

By the early 1900s, Meridian was Mississippi's largest city. Five major train lines passed through it. About 44 trains arrived and left Meridian every day.

A group called the Meridian Terminal Company decided to build a new passenger station. It included officers from several big train companies. The new station and a railway express building were finished in August 1906. They cost $250,000 to build.

The building was designed in the Mission Revival Style architecture. It originally had a tall central tower. This tower was taken down in the late 1940s. More of the old station was removed in 1966. Only the eastern part of the building remained.

Planning a New Station

Union Station's central tower

In 1991, people started thinking about a new transportation center. A committee was formed to study the idea. They wanted to see if a "Multi-Modal Transit Center" (MMTC) was possible.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation approved money for a study. This study looked at where a new center could be built. It also checked if there was enough demand for it.

Community leaders and citizens helped with the plans. Their goal was to create a model transportation center. It would serve East Mississippi and West Alabama. They hoped it could also be a national example for smaller cities.

How the Project Was Paid For

Building the new station needed a lot of money. The city received $5.1 million in grants. These grants came from federal and state programs. It was the first time the state gave a grant for a historic building's reconstruction.

The city also raised money locally. They used a special method called Certificates of Participation (COPs). This allowed the city to lease the building. Financial groups then bought shares of this lease.

In 1993, more funds were approved for the project. These funds helped preserve historic transportation buildings. The total cost for construction was about $6.5 million. The city contributed $1.3 million. Amtrak also gave $431,000 to the project.

Designing the New Center

Looking at the Bus Terminal

A team of architects and engineers worked on the design. They held meetings with the study committee. They discussed ideas for the new center. They also drew pictures to show what it would look like.

The new transportation center covers four city blocks. The Alabama Great Southern Railroad donated about 6 acres of land. This land was used for the project.

The station area includes several parts:

• An area for adding more train cars in the future.
• The Meridian Railroad Museum, which was once the Railway Express Agency building.
• A beautiful landscaped area with special brick pavers.
• The new terminal building, connected to the old part of the station.

East of the station, there is a farmers' market. There is also a park and an area for city festivals.

Union Station Today

Meridian Railroad Museum at Union Station

Union Station has had a big positive impact on Meridian. Many people use the station each year. On average, 242,360 passengers use Amtrak trains, Greyhound buses, and Meridian Transit System buses.

Inside Union Station

The station has also encouraged new businesses and buildings nearby. Over $8 million has been invested in the Depot District. This includes new offices, shops, and a computer training center. There are also apartments, two hotels, and renovated condominiums. Two restaurants and storage buildings have also opened. The famous Threefoot Building has also been turned into a fancy hotel.

The meeting rooms on the station's mezzanine level are very popular. People use them for business meetings and social events. These include retirement parties, class reunions, birthday parties, weddings, and receptions.

People can also buy special brick pavers. These bricks are engraved with names of loved ones or friends. They are placed in a pathway that connects the station to the railroad museum. This lets people become a lasting part of the Union Station complex.

In April 2023, officials announced big plans for the station. Amtrak plans a $13-million upgrade. The work will be done in stages. This way, train and bus services will not be stopped. The upgrades are expected to be finished by 2025.