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  • cherylcolan:
    @jensimmons @Ryanne yeah, Amtrak's Flagstaff to Chicago rate costs as much as flying, or more! price has to come down, add outlets & WIFI

  • phaythness:
    @Shyknotness ohh in the lobby? u should jus go look around in the store or get sumthing from the vending machines or play in that play area!

  • overb7:
    @SillyCristina i thought it was SLM or is that just AmTrak?

  • phillylivenews:
    Is There A Way To Get From Penn State U Park To The Lewistown Amtrak Station Or Philadelphia? link


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In Travel & Visitors Guide Blogs
More vending machines for Amtrak?
Vending machines don't cut it, says Bauman.  
By Jeff Sherman RSS Feed Twitter Feed
OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writer
Photography by City of Milwaukee
E-mail author | Author bio
More articles by Jeff Sherman

What is a blog?  For us it is a short blurb that we write when the mood strikes us.  It can be first person, funny or informative. In short, a blog is whatever we want it to be. Published May 28, 2008 at 12:49 p.m.
Tags: robert bauman, amtrak, vending machines, wisdot, intermodal, coffee, wilton partners, transportation, public works committee

In January, I wrote about my desire for a coffee vendor at the shiny, beautiful and new Amtrak station. Vending machines don't cut it, nor do they provide the image or quality that the station deserves.

Today, Ald. Robet J. Bauman agreed and is blasting a decision by the California-based station operator to lease a 3,200-sq. ft. restaurant space at Milwaukee's new $15.8 million Amtrak Depot / Intermodal Facility to a local vending machine company.

"Just six months after the celebration and speeches at the VIP ribbon cutting ceremony we find there will be no counter service, no cocktail bar, no sit down food service, and no breakfast, lunch or dinner served at this magnificent facility any time soon," said Bauman.

"Forget the Oyster Bar (a reference to the famous restaurant in New York City's Grand Central Station) or the multiple restaurants at Washington D.C.'s Union Station -- Milwaukee travelers will have to settle for plastic-wrapped sandwiches, soda pop and potato chips," he said. Not to mention, Chicago's Union Station.

Bauman, whose district includes Downtown and the Third Ward, has been a strong proponent of the remodeled transit facility and expressed his displeasure and frustration about the food and beverage options being pursued there.

"Several years ago the city and the federal government stepped up to the plate to provide additional funds to upgrade WisDOT's bare-boned remodeling of the Amtrak Depot resulting in the magnificent facility that all Milwaukee residents can be proud of," he said.

"Unfortunately WisDOT and Wilton Partners are once again trying to do the job on the cheap. Instead of working to develop an affordable leasing opportunity that would attract a full-service restaurant, they have settled for vending machines and a convenience store. This is a disgrace."

Bauman, chair of the Council's Public Works Committee, continued: "It is indeed ironic that WisDOT has no problem spending billions of dollars expanding Milwaukee area freeways, but when it comes to their Amtrak Depot / Intermodal Facility, vending machines will suffice. The citizens of Milwaukee did not make this investment in order to see this iconic facility degraded after only six months (of operation)."

Bauman is calling for WisDOT to "immediately instruct its operator, Wilton Partners, to revamp the lease terms for the restaurant area in order to attract a quality local restaurateur. Failing that, WisDOT should terminate their relationship with Wilton Partners at once.

"The citizens of Milwaukee, as financial partners in this venture, will stand for nothing less," he said.

Alderman, I couldn't agree more! Milwaukee? Your thoughts? Use the talkbacks now.



More Information ...
Amtrak
433 W. St. Paul Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53203
800-USA-RAIL
http://www.amtrak.com/

11 comments about this article.
Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by hersmile on June 1, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. (report)

I'd like to see a little stand selling Alterra coffee and prepackaged items from the various vendors at the Public Market. I think it could meet the needs of passengers plus promote the Market and the downtown area.

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Posted by mkelover on May 29, 2008 at 8:51 p.m. (report)

Oh my god, this guy spends a $1,000 in a city where he travels to?!!?!?! Someone roll out the red carpet at once!! Don't delay!!! This guy is serious!!! Build him a restaurant at the Amtrak station post haste! Milwaukee would be LUCKY to have a big spender like this visit our city!!! All joking aside, it is unfortunate that a restaurant tenant couldn't be found. Hopefully the vending machine company will just be on a short term or month to month lease where they could be kicked out in favor of a restaurant/coffee house. As much as I use this station, I just don't see myself planning a meal at the station prior to my departure unless it something I can't get anywhere else.

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Posted by shuttletrain on May 29, 2008 at 2:47 p.m. (report)

I was really looking forward to seeing the new station. Our Town is almost done with it's own Transportation Centre. The station in Kansas City will still be better. It is unbelieveble that a resturant can no be offered. The government should be ashamed. I will not stop in your city until you make it welcoming. Just a note, when I travel I usually spend close to a thousand dollars in a city I stop at.

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Posted by alba on May 29, 2008 at 1:18 p.m. (report)

Alterra needs to get in there. Give them a tax break to do so.

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Posted by HarleyRider on May 28, 2008 at 9:42 p.m. (report)

I took the train recently to Chicago and was disapointed when I arrived at the station to find nothing but a vending machine. I decided to wait till I arrived in Chicago for something decent to eat. All those people sitting there with time to kill and can't even get a cup of decent coffee, poor planning.

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Show me the other 6 Talkbacks
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