Raleigh, N.C., eyes old factory for new rail station
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefNorth Carolina’s state capital may choose to rehabilitate a manufacturing plant as a new passenger rail station, in a move to save money and acquire a convenient downtown location.
Local press have followed the effort to retrofit the Dillon Supply Building, once used to supply heating and venting equipment, was purchased by Triangle Transit in 2005 for just such a possible use. Raleigh still seeks funding sources for a new station, to be used by local transit needs as well as Amtrak and future high speed rail service.
The renovation, estimated by state transportation officials to cost $20 million, would cost less than an alternate plan for a new building, one block away, estimated to cost $150 million.
“For $2 million, the city would essentially own a $20 million facility,” said Will Allen III, chairman of the city’s rail task force. Federal, state, and other sources would supplement Raleigh’s fiscal commitment under current plans.
