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Consultants outline S‑Line mobility hub plan; Council asked for support as engineers address emergency‑access concerns
Summary
Kimley‑Horn presented a phased mobility hub tied to the S‑Line passenger rail; the Council selected the Bank Building as the preferred local site. NEPA was classified as a categorical exclusion; funding and emergency‑access for downtown buildings were identified as ongoing concerns.
Ben Crawford of Kimley‑Horn described the S‑Line mobility hub concept to Henderson City Council on Jan. 12, tying the local hub to a larger passenger‑rail initiative between Raleigh and Richmond. Crawford said preliminary engineering is fully funded and that a $1 billion grant will support construction for the Raleigh–Wake Forest portion; the mobility hub in Henderson has a preferred site at the Bank Building and is intended to integrate rail, transit, cars, bikes and pedestrians.
Crawford outlined a two‑phase approach: Phase 1 would deliver parking, green space, a community building, transit and car service areas, bike share and a public plaza; Phase 2 — timed to rail completion — would add a passenger rail platform and a pedestrian bridge for safe crossing. The project team said concept designs, historical evaluations and a NEPA review (classified as a Categorical Exclusion) are complete and the final report is expected in spring 2026. The team asked the Council for a resolution of support to continue NEPA and grant work.
City Manager Paylor Spruill noted a federal USDOT grant opportunity to extend S‑Line service from Wake Forest to Franklinton. Fire Chief Tim Twisdale raised a concern about emergency access to the rear of a downtown block once rail construction closes activated intersections; he urged that access for fire and rescue operations be assured during design. Crawford acknowledged the concern and said options such as maintaining an alleyway or designing platform structures for emergency access will be evaluated by engineers but cannot be guaranteed until further design and coordination with the S‑Line team.
Project funding remains a challenge, the team said, requiring collaboration among the City, Vance County, NCDOT and other partners. Councilmember Kenia Gomez‑Jimenez welcomed downtown development and urged readiness if the project advances. The project team will continue public engagement and NEPA compliance work through 2026 and return with final study materials and requests for local actions as needed.
