Starbucks is returning to Union Station

Starbucks is returning to Union Station , two years after it closed a shop there during a low point in retail activity.

The big picture: The coffee giant's return comes as foot traffic is up 92% since 2022 and increased security has been added to help revitalize Union Station, according to Rexmark, which manages its retail operations.

The latest: Starbucks will build a 2,000-square-foot space, nearly double the size of its previous location.

• A Starbucks spokesperson cited "several enhancements" made to the station since it left, including more safety.

The big picture: Amtrak, which owns most of Union Station, is planning for decades down the line, but right now friction is building between the railway company and Rexmark, which has a lease agreement to manage much of the retail spaces.

• Amtrak recently won a judge's order to take over the remaining footprint from Rexmark. But Rexmark has successfully asked the court to delay the decision to July 29th.
• Meanwhile, House Oversight Committee chair James Comer (R-Ky.) is siding with Rexmark, arguing that Amtrak is not well-suited to maintain retail at the site, which helps the station remain economically sustainable.
• Last month, Comer applied pressure on Amtrak by asking Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to turn over documents related to Union Station's renovation plans.
• A spokesperson for Comer told Axios that Buttigieg did not respond to the request.

Amtrak's long-term vision is to triple passenger capacity at Union Station and make it a high-speed rail hub.

• It's expected to cost $8.8 billion and take a decade.