(rshsdepot) New Bern, NC

[I95BERNIEW_@_aol.com]

From the Sun Journal.
 
Bernie Wagenblast
 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
Study report: restoration of railroad depot least likely among tourism  
projects

Nikie Mayo 
March 11, 2008 - 7:55PM
Sun Journal

A county tourism study report says New Bern's Union Station depot is  among 
the least likely of projects to get attention. 
 
The study, called Craven County Tourism Development Strategies, details the  
offerings already here and provides suggestions for attracting more tourist  
attention. It was prepared by Randall Gross Development Economics, a Washington 
 company. 
 
A portion of the study summarizes potential projects in the  county. 
 
"Rehabilitation of Union Station depot is the least likely at this stage,  
but such development could certainly help revitalize the surrounding  
neighborhood," it says. 
 
"Restoration has been hampered by issues relating to the North Carolina  
Railroad's assertion that public use of the depot cannot be allowed due to the  
building's proximity to the railroad right-of-way," the study says. 
 
"It's about where it's always been," City Manager Bill Hartman said  today.  
"I don't think there's been any movement or change on  it." 
 
The depot on Queen Street is owned by N.C. Railroad, a privately run  company 
that is owned by the state. Norfolk Southern Railroad has a lease  agreement 
with the state, which has taken the position that restoring the  building so 
close to the tracks poses a safety risk. 
 
North Carolina  Railroad has committed $300,000 toward moving the  building, 
Hartman said, but added that "that's not really enough to get somebody  
interested," because the move is expected to cost at least $1  million. 
 
Mayor Tom Bayliss and Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue met with railroad officials  
several months ago, Bayliss said. He said he still hopes to see the depot  
restored onsite. 
 
"We're going to ask them again if they can figure some way to do that or  
reconsider," he said today.  "It would be a huge help if they  did." 
 
Some private developers have shown interest in restoring the depot,  
according to the study. The developers were not identified. 
 
The depot is in the Riverside historic district near land owned by Florida  
developer Will Stout and his company Realmark Development LLC. 
 
"Assuming costs of at least $2 (million) to $2.5 million to relocate,  
rehabilitate, and (outfit) the building (not including the price of land), even  a 
possibly viable reuse like a restaurant would probably require substantial  
subsidy to operate if it has to cover such debt," the study says. 
 
"Practically every town in North Carolina has an old railroad depot. ...  
While the concept of a rail museum is not unique, the building's use for the  
purpose would compl(e)ment the overall visitor experience and fill yet another  
niche in the area's historical interpretation.
 
"If Craven County and New Bern ever wish to interpret the region's  
railroading or transportation history, then the depot building would be  especially 
helpful to this cause. Even so, it would probably not serve as a  tourist 
destination in itself," the study says.



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End of RSHSDepot Digest V1 #1693
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The Railroad Station Historical Society maintains a database of existing
railroad structures at: http://www.rrshs.org