Full steam on Raleigh’s Union Station

Raleigh City Council member Wayne Maiorano took note that he and John Odom, the most conservative council members, were undeterred by anticipated $10 million in cost overruns on the Union Station transit hub project for downtown Raleigh. They say pay what it takes for a high-quality project.

Absolutely, positively correct.

This is an important project for Raleigh, and it must not be done in a second-rate fashion. Federal and state sources are expected to pay for the overruns for which they are responsible, and the council is expected to do the rest.

Maiorano said that doing what’s needed, meaning building a first-class facility, would encourage other developers to perform at the top of their games in other projects in the city. Nor should the city delay parts of the project, such as the plaza that architect Steve Schuster describes as the front door of the station complex.

Raleigh council members should not backtrack. On this signature project, it will pay to be bold.

This story was originally published October 22, 2015 at 5:15 PM with the headline "Full steam on Raleigh’s Union Station."