The Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee held a hearing on the private management of Union Station, where Chairwoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) said that Union Station is a national landmark building and one of the largest rail stations in the world. She explained that public transportation in Washington, D.C. has reached its highest levels in fifty years, and Union Station is the busiest stop on the city's Metro line. Because of this, and because of the station's large size, Norton explained that there have been many difficulties in its management.
The most current problem faced at Union Station involves its photography policy, or lack there of. Erin McCann, a private, amateur photographer, testified before Holmes Norton and said that Union Station has always been an "unfriendly" place to photographers. McCann said that instances have occurred in which photographers have been harassed, told incorrect policies by misinformed station officials, and even been threatened with arrest for "daring to take a simple snapshot of a national treasure." In almost every incident, she explained, a guard or officer had wrongly told a photographer that Union Station is private property and photography is not allowed.
McCann, herself, had been stopped twice in the last three months while photographing in the public areas of the station. After the first incident occurred in February, McCann began talking with officials from Union Station to try and figure out what the actual photo policy is. Six months, dozens of conversations, and a congressional hearing later, she said she still has yet to receive a definitive answer.
David Ball, the president of the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation, said he was embarrassed to not have a real photo policy, especially when the problem should have a very simple answer. Bryant Chambers, the assistant general manager of Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc., was also at the hearing and explained that his organization is in charge of the development management of Union Station, and oversees all contracted services, including security, cleaning, repairs, and maintenance. Chambers said that he was aware of the emails and conversations taking place between McCann and members of Jones Long LaSalle, Inc., and that McCann was correct in saying that there was too much confusion concerning the photo policies. Chambers said that photo standards were improperly enforced and that he personally redrafted a standard to make it clear that photography is definitely allowed and welcome in the Union Station building.
Photography not allowed in Union Station?
The most current problem faced at Union Station involves its photography policy, or lack there of. Erin McCann, a private, amateur photographer, testified before Holmes Norton and said that Union Station has always been an "unfriendly" place to photographers. McCann said that instances have occurred in which photographers have been harassed, told incorrect policies by misinformed station officials, and even been threatened with arrest for "daring to take a simple snapshot of a national treasure." In almost every incident, she explained, a guard or officer had wrongly told a photographer that Union Station is private property and photography is not allowed.
McCann, herself, had been stopped twice in the last three months while photographing in the public areas of the station. After the first incident occurred in February, McCann began talking with officials from Union Station to try and figure out what the actual photo policy is. Six months, dozens of conversations, and a congressional hearing later, she said she still has yet to receive a definitive answer.
David Ball, the president of the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation, said he was embarrassed to not have a real photo policy, especially when the problem should have a very simple answer. Bryant Chambers, the assistant general manager of Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc., was also at the hearing and explained that his organization is in charge of the development management of Union Station, and oversees all contracted services, including security, cleaning, repairs, and maintenance. Chambers said that he was aware of the emails and conversations taking place between McCann and members of Jones Long LaSalle, Inc., and that McCann was correct in saying that there was too much confusion concerning the photo policies. Chambers said that photo standards were improperly enforced and that he personally redrafted a standard to make it clear that photography is definitely allowed and welcome in the Union Station building.