Saving Union Station volunteers and partners updated the Wayne County Board of Commissioners on Oct. 21 about progress toward stabilizing Goldsboro’s historic Union Station and advancing the Southeastern passenger rail corridor that would connect Raleigh and Wilmington.

Julie Metz, a founding member of the Saving Union Station (SUS) team, told commissioners the stabilization budget for the building is $1.5 million and that the project is proceeding as a phased design-build because immediate weatherization and water-control work is essential before a full rehabilitation. "We are considering this phase 1," Metz said, "and because of the critical nature of the building, the historic integrity of the building, there's a lot of things that we don't know what we're gonna find when we start... so we're approaching this phase as a design build."

Why it matters: The county previously committed funds to the effort; the SUS group's progress and outside grants are now funding contractor work and permitting. Stabilizing the station preserves a historic structure and positions Goldsboro to benefit from future passenger-rail service planning.

What presenters said and next steps

- Budget and fundraising: Metz said the total stabilization estimate is $1.5 million. The City of Goldsboro has put $375,000 into play and the SUS team secured a North Carolina Department of Commerce grant for $612,500; the Development Corporation (DGDC) provided the required 5% match of $37,500. SUS reported approximately $661,000 raised and said it was about $89,000 short of the $750,000 community goal that would trigger the county’s pledged $375,000 contribution. Metz said the SUS team is working to close the $89,000 gap and hoped to finish fundraising by March 2026.

- Contracting and scope: Metz said the city authorized a contract with TA Loving; TA Loving and a team of historic-preservation specialists (Michael Graves & Company, Cox Edwards, McLaughmore Engineering and others) are beginning design and phased construction. Metz said early work will focus on weatherization and drainage to prevent further water damage; the design element of phase 1 was estimated at approximately $153,000.

- Federal and state rail work: Metz described a September 2024 NCDOT feasibility study that recommended the eastern route for Raleigh–Wilmington passenger service via Goldsboro. She said NCDOT plans to enter the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) corridor-identification process and that the corridor-development services plan (step 2) is estimated at roughly $6.5 million; local jurisdictions will be asked for a 10% match of that plan’s cost, though details on allocation among municipalities had not been set.

- Fundraising approach and stewardship: SUS said it has relied heavily on pro bono professional services and community donors; the group is holding its funds until the remaining $89,000 is closed so the project can proceed in a single, efficient phase and avoid multiple small phases.

Questions and additional details

- Cost of full rehabilitation: Commissioners asked about the overall rehabilitation cost for the station building; Metz said TA Loving will provide a new cost estimate after phase-1 stabilization work is complete.

- Donations and tax treatment: SUS representatives said donations can be made through the DGDC (a 501(c)(3)); donations are tax‑deductible and a Zephyr/online option and check-by-mail option (DGDC, 116 N. Center St.; memo: "Saving Union Station") are available.

- Regional funding context: Metz encouraged local officials to maintain regular contact with NCDOT rail-division staff because the corridor-identification and federal review steps will require local coordination and potential match commitments.

Ending: Metz closed by asking for support in closing the community fundraising gap so the SUS team can satisfy its earlier pledge and request that the county release its committed share once SUS reaches the $750,000 target. Commissioners expressed appreciation for the volunteer effort and the progress made to date.