STAFF REPORT
Operations Committee,
August 7, 2008
Cary Depot Municipal Agreement
(EN09-012)
Consideration of entering into a
municipal agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation for
renovations and expansion of the Cary Depot
Speaker: Mr.
Tim Bailey
From: Tim
Bailey, PE, Director of Engineering
Prepared by: Susan Parker, Engineer
Approved by: William B. Coleman, Jr., Town Manager
Approved by: Benjamin T. Shivar, Assistant Town Manager
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has forwarded a municipal agreement for the Town’s consideration proposing to renovate and expand the Town owned Cary Depot to accommodate a full service staffed train passenger station at NCDOT’s expense. A lease agreement between NCDOT, Amtrak and the Town will be developed prior to construction and brought to Council for approval.
The new Amtrak station will promote mass transit and provide a more convenient ticket office for citizens. Currently, the closest ticket offices are in Raleigh and Durham. It would also benefit Cary by encouraging more people to the downtown area.
Although not related to this agreement, the current tenant, the NCDOT Division of Motor Vehicles, will be relocating to 1387 SE Maynard Road by the end of the year.
Fiscal Impact: According to the terms of the proposed agreement, the Town would be responsible for any utility relocations or adjustments that may be required for the proposed construction. NCDOT has recently initiated the design process so it is unclear at this time if any utility work will be necessary. This project is not currently funded in the Town’s budget and any future funding needs would be sent to Council for consideration.
Another import element of the agreement is the lease rate. NCDOT is proposing a lease rate to be negotiated at a below-market rate. The tenant will pay its own utility and janitorial expenses. The tenant is responsible for all service operations; therefore no Town employees would be required.
Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends entering into the Municipal Agreement with the NCDOT for the Cary Depot improvements.