Limited Obligation Bond Projects

Renovation of Union Station and the improvements to the Benton Convention Center are being financed with limited obligation bonds. These bonds do not require voter approval because they will use Union Station and the convention center as collateral.

Benton Convention Center

Bond funding: $17.5 million

This project includes a variety of improvements and renovations recommended by a facility assessment and economic analysis of the Benton Convention Center. The recommended improvements will:

• Broaden target markets to include more overnight visitors
• Create jobs
• Improve the marketability of the convention center
• Improve operating efficiency
• Save money

Improvements

The improvements include:

• Adding new meeting rooms and pre-function space
• Implementing energy-saving improvements to the heating and air-conditioning systems
• Performing exterior renovations
• Renovating the exhibit halls
• Replacing the carpet in all public areas
• Upgrading the:
  • Acoustic
  • Data/telecom systems
  • Electrical
  • Lighting

Project: Union Station

Bond funding: $18.3 million

This project will restore Union Station, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and has been designated as a local landmark by Forsyth County, as a regional and local bus terminal. It will also have offices for city Department of Transportation (DOT). The renovations will include lease space for retail and other uses.

Parking facilities would be provided on the Union Station property for park-and-ride users, and a bus loop would be provided in front of the station for buses to drop off and pick up passengers. The restoration will be designed to accommodate a future expansion for regional and long-distance passenger rail service.

The renovation of Union Station would restore each of its three floors. The top floor would be reserved for transit uses, while the middle and bottom floors would be used for retail, office space, or related uses.