Neighbors push to save historic train station at Raleigh's Seaboard Station
A Raleigh City Council meeting Tuesday could determine what’s next for the Seaboard Train Station.
After nearly 4,000 people petitioned against developers tearing down the 80-year-old station down to build a seven-story tower, the group will now agree to drop their opposition at the council meeting only if new conditions are presented.
Turnbridge Equities requested to rezone the property at 707 Semart Drive. Condition 5C is included in their final rezoning application, which would allow the developer to demolish the train station if, in their discretion, saving the station is not feasible.
“We have engaged in a month-long community engagement process with the groups who were interested in protecting and preserving the station. There is no historical protection on Seaboard Station right now," said Raleigh council member Johnathon Melton.
“After months of working with the developer, the applicant and the community, they have agreed to conditions that will incorporate majority of the station in the new site plan and preserve it and provide some protection, and I believe that's a big win for the community," Melton added.
The Seaboard Train station has been part of Raleigh’s history for 80 years.
Concerned neighbors have presented ideas for how to incorporate the structure into the new development plans.
“As Raleigh is growing, we need to be making a point to be preserving as much of our history and things that make the city unique and fun and different as possible,” said Melton.
He said the developers have other projects underway in the area and have committed to preserving those structures as well.
“The historic Creamery project on Glenwood Avenue in Glenwood South, they're preserving that structure. They've got one in the warehouse district. They’re preserving that structure. And now they've committed to conditions to incorporate and preserve Seaboard Station as well. So I'm very happy,” he said.
If the developers want to move forward with the rezoning to build taller than the seven stories currently allowed, they have to agree to preserve the train station and seek historic protection for it. It’s a compromise between everyone involved .
The Raleigh City Council will vote on the train station rezoning case Tuesday at 1 p.m.
