Why it matters: Average citizens want to know if they'll even be in town -- or alive -- to see it done.
The big picture: Carr is in charge of modernizing the 116-year-old gateway to the nation's capital, and the transportation heart for a metropolis of 6.3 million people.
Here's the problem: This tremendous modernization of Union Station -- making it a high-speed rail hub, tripling passenger capacity at what's already the country's second busiest rail terminal -- will cost an estimated $8.8 billion.
The Moynihan -- with its $1.6 billion price tag -- offers a blueprint only to a point: It was a stressful project, but it had a strong public booster, then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who wanted to prove his state could get it done. He was in the ear of project managers, nudging and muscling through plans.
Catch up quick: Carr is CEO of a little-known entity called Union Station Redevelopment Corporation. It owns the project -- not Amtrak, or the D.C. mayor or the president or Congress, who delegated management of the station to USRC in 1983.
Zoom in: To win support and funding, Carr has to work both local and federal Washington.
Raised in North Jersey, Carr started his career working for JLL in Chicago. He returned to New York for the WTC redevelopment, then worked through public-private development deals like Hudson Yards.
State of play: The project has completed 10% of its design phase. The concept is to preserve Union Station's historic hall. The 53 acres behind it will be turned into a vast concourse, with a train hall, bus terminal, underground areas for parking and pick-up/drop-off.
Right now, USRC is using a newly won $24 million grant for studies like soil analysis, to pinpoint where foundations need to be deep versus shallow.
What they're saying: From Boston to D.C., "economic development forms along rail lines," says deputy mayor Nina Albert, a member of USRC's board.
Yes, but: Over the next decade, everything has to go right. Political buy-in and funding, yes, Carr says, but also a management squad that "gels like a championship-winning sports team."
How will Donald Trump and Republican control of Congress affect the project?
Trump's a builder from New York.