Plans for Trade St. Station Win Praise

Aug. 25–Charlotte-Mecklenburg transit commissioners Wednesday praised a plan to build a $100 million train and bus station on West Trade Street but asked for detailed cost estimates.

Charlotte Area Transit System proposes a station and office building where Greyhound now stands. Charlotte Gateway Station would serve Amtrak, commuter rail to Mooresville, streetcars, buses, taxis and rental cars.

A 100,000-square-foot office building could house CATS’ headquarters and state offices. Passengers would walk through its 7,000-square-foot atrium to catch trains and buses.

CATS now spends $800,000 annually to rent office space, said transit chief Ron Tober, who wants to consolidate five offices at Gateway. CATS’ 200-member staff likely will grow to 250 or 300 as the five-route rapid-transit plan is built by 2025, he said.

Also Wednesday, transit commissioners approved changes in bylaws that would allow surrounding counties to join CATS, a move that would mean the construction of a regional rapid-transit system.

The new members likely would come from Mooresville, York and Gaston counties, which are studying ways to link to future CATS lines.

The towns or counties must help pay construction and operating costs, as well as approve land-development plans that would increase ridership.

The bylaw changes must now be approved by Charlotte, Mecklenburg and the towns.

Two items may be controversial. Mecklenburg County would no longer vote on CATS’ annual budget, with only the Charlotte City Council retaining that power. And Charlotte’s member on the transit board would still cast only one vote, the same as members representing much smaller towns such as Pineville and Davidson.

Some council members want the city to have more votes to reflect its greater population.

The bylaw changes also would allow members of the N.C. and S.C. boards of transportation to join the commission.

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