(rshsdepot) Statesville, NC

[Bernie Wagenblast <brwagenblast_@_comcast.net>]

Link:
http://media.gatewaync.com/srl/photos/depot2.jpg  (current photo)
http://www.downtownstatesvillenc.org/dtour01.htm  (depot pictorial tour)

Passenger rail service in Statesville doubtful after City Council decision
City leaders opted not to participate in federal grant to renovate the Depot

By MICHELLE HARRISON
RECORD & LANDMARK

Statesville City Council has decided not to fund renovations to the Depot,
and a local stop along the western N.C. passenger rail link looks doubtful.

Downtown Statesville Development Corp., which owns the Depot on Shelton
Avenue, wanted to apply for a $680,000 federal grant to build passenger
platforms and make track improvements.

A condition of the grant is that the City of Statesville provide 10 percent,
or $68,000. But last week, council members denied the request along with
$2,200 a month for maintenance, custodial, and security work at would be the
rail link's only stop not owned by the resident city.

Now, DSDC manager Bryan George is not sure how long the grant money will be
available. He says he is disappointed but hopeful that council members might
revisit the issue.

Councilman Jim Lawton said the rail connecting Asheville to Salisbury will
come through Statesville anyway, and the Depot stop could always be added
later.

"I don't think that we made an irreparable decision," Lawton said.

However, George said leaving the issue for later could cost the city more in
the future.

Most people don't realize the link the rail could create for the city,
George said. A passenger stop in Statesville could allow travel all along
the eastern seaboard through the hub in Salisbury.

The railway had also been seen as a means to alleviate traffic on Interstate
40. But Lawton said the cost did not justify the projected reduction in
traffic.

George said he's still optimistic because City Council recently voted to
help finance improvements at the municipal airport after initially denying
the funding.

The extant railroad structures database is on the
RSHS Website: http://www.rrshs.org

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