Exciting news for our growing downtown as the city considers a Grand Central station. The station would house the city/TTA bus station, the Greyhound Station, and the Amtrak station. While the more affluent members of our audience may not have experienced public transit here in Raleigh, rest assured, there is much improvement needed. The centralization of these three stations would make transfers easier and give guests a much easier time in deciphering our transit system. HDR Architecture, Inc. will
deliver a feasibility study, drawings and a development strategy for property in the area. The plan will be delivered early next summer.
The planned location of Boylan Heights could cause controversy- the north side of Boylan bridge is the tentative location. It does seem that this area would have less impact than appropriate areas nearby.
The 2000 Census counted around 3,300 people in the downtown; the expectation in 2010 is to reach 10,000. Meeker has underscored the importance in a Grand Central station to support this population. The residents wouldn’t be the only group to benefit- but tourism as well. In conjunction with an intelligent light rail design- one could imagine the city hosting national conferences at the new convention center- and our city’s guests completely relying on public transport to come into the city and then enjoy it’s amenities.
There is some push back by folk considering the funding of the project, but if we are willing to give 80 million to make Kane Realty rich, then an investment in modernizing our transit should be easily justified.
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