The $175-million multi-phased, mixed-use redevelopment of Baltimore’s historic Penn Station was paused due to escalating construction costs, according to media reports.  

Amtrak says it is working to finalize funding and phasing to restart the project with Penn Station Partners, a joint venture between Beatty Development Group and Cross Street Partners. WSP USA designed the project in a joint venture with Gensler.

"The redevelopment of Baltimore Penn Station is an important project to Amtrak and the Baltimore region," Beth K. Toll, senior public relations manager at Amtrak, said in an emailed statement. "This process will not impact Amtrak service."

The work stoppage comes about six months after the project team finished constructing a boarding platform for high-speed Acela trains that went into service in the spring. A second platform was scheduled to finish by the end of the year. 

Quinn Evans is serving as architect for the station restoration that has already undergone masonry cleaning and repairs, window refurbishment, a new roof and upgraded lighting. The project's scope includes interior improvements, new retailer and restaurant spaces on the concourse level and office space on the upper three floors. The scope also includes construction of a new passenger terminal on the north side of the train tracks and a mixed-use development alongside the historic station.  

Amtrak announced redevelopment of its eighth-busiest station in 2020 amid a 95% dip in ridership due to the COVID-19 pandemic as it received $1-billion in federal funds from the U.S. Transportation Dept. under the CARES Act, with about half earmarked for the Northeast corridor. 

Today, more than 3 million Amtrak and MARC passengers move through Baltimore Penn Station each year. Amtrak ridership increased 29% in the city during the past year, surpassing the 24% growth in Amtrak ridership nationwide.

Toll said Amtrak and Penn Station Partners are working to "prudently progress work while we continue to seek funding and investments to deliver the full potential of this program."