Belmont Trolley group pitches phased trolley barn and rail tests; council asks staff to begin tri‑party agreement work

Belmont Trolley representatives presented a phased plan on Sept. 3, 2024, seeking city support to move a long‑running effort into construction and testing. Nancy Litwack, a board member, told the council the group has "approximately 2.1 million dollars in cash receivables and assets" and described a two‑phase approach that would first build a pavilion-style covered structure to allow rail testing and public visibility and later complete the building envelope and event spaces.

The pitch centered on safety, visibility and economic development. Rob Presley (Mecca Commercial Real Estate) and Tim Johnston (Heth Design) detailed site placement, an event-capable pavilion (roughly a 3,400–4,300 sq. ft. covered area within a roughly 10,400 sq. ft. footprint when complete), and rail connections. Presley said the group has worked with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte on a power car to provide electricity for the trolleys and that the UNCC partnership has been "our brain trust" on clean‑technology testing.

Council members asked about governance, costs and timing. Project leaders presented preliminary cost ranges: a phase‑one pavilion and rail works estimated roughly in the $2.0–$2.1 million range and a full buildout closer to the mid‑$3 millions (estimates still being refined). Tim Johnston said a pavilion‑only construction schedule could take about four to five months, with a full build estimated at about five to six months once regulatory approvals are in place.

Rob Presley described the intended operating relationship with the city: the trolley organization would build the facility and "donate the facility to the city of Belmont and [enter] a perpetual lease back for a dollar a year," with Belmont Trolley responsible for operating expenses. Councilors and staff discussed drafting a tri‑party agreement among the city, Belmont Trolley and NCDOT to define ownership, operations, maintenance, and usage rights; presenters said they expected that document to be amended over many years as phases evolve.

Council response and next steps: council members signaled support for moving the project forward and asked staff to begin drafting the tri‑party agreement bullet points and to continue review through planning staff. Presenters said they will refine cost estimates and return with more detailed scope and schedule information for regulatory review. The council did not take a final approval vote on construction funding or permit actions at the Sept. 3 meeting.

Supporters say the trolley project will create a new downtown event space, support STEM partnerships with UNCC and increase pedestrian safety through coordinated rail and trail improvements. Opponents and staff cautioned that costs and parking impacts require further study; staff and the trolley group will continue coordination through planning review and the proposed tri‑party agreement.