Henderson, NC | High Speed Rail
What High-Speed Rail Could Do For My Childhood Hometown
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I wanted to take a trip back down memory lane for today’s issue. There’s been a lot of rail news circulating as talks of high-speed draw near and Amtrak released their Amtrak Connects US: 2035 plan. Let’s get right into it.
Northern Vance Viking Pride
I spent all of middle and high school in a rural town just across the Virginia border. A stone’s throw away from where my mom was born, Henderson, North Carolina was special. I can still smell the family reunion plates and hear the music echo in the country back roads where the mosquitos looked to ensure their presence was felt. The unpaved roads would wake me up out of my sleep and that’s when I knew weren’t too far from my Aunt Frances's home.
Receiving the news we’d be leaving Richmond for Henderson wasn’t welcomed. I knew nothing about the city itself and was not looking forward to leaving my friends behind. Henderson has a population of roughly 15,000. At the time of residency, there were two primary high schools, two primary middle schools, and nine elementary schools. Due to the population actually shrinking in the city, the high schools have actually consolidated.
Prior to consolidation, the city felt like a chapter out of Friday Night Lights. The two high schools were separated by train tracks; Northern Vance and Southern Vance. Businesses would close for basketball and football games. Athletic rivals for sure but rivals overall as tension seemed to be around the corner anytime students from either school were in the same vicinity. Employment opportunities are few; I can remember the excitement when we got a Chick Fil A and as Seniors, many were all looking for their first jobs. After graduation, many found themselves heading to Revlon and others to Raleigh and Wake Forest for employment opportunities.
As talks of putting Henderson’s train station back into play, the city could see monumental change over the next decade. The Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor opening would cut commute time between Richmond and Raleigh from nearly 4 hours to just over two hours. If Henderson’s station reopens you could see commute times to either capital city in just under an hour.
This opens the door to a world of opportunity if pulled off correctly. I may do another issue on the cons of such a shift.
Here Are 5 Benefits Henderson, N.C Could See From The New High-Speed Rail Corridor
Transit Hub
Henderson does currently have a Greyhound bus station. A $3.4 million RAISE Grant announced in August 2022 by the NC DOT will allow Norlina, Henderson, Franklinton, Youngsville, Wake Forest, Apex and Sanford to build transit hubs.
Downtown Revitalization
You should start to see retail businesses and restaurants begin to flock downtown to be close to the new transit hub. You may even see renovations happen of city municipal buildings and new construction office space pop up.
Hotel Boom
Hospitality should see a boost as they seem to follow transit hubs and new transportation options. Sometimes companies like Amtrak will send staff down to stay overnight to help with switching out onboard staff. This will be especially important if the frequency between these cities picks up.
More Apartments
New build apartments in Henderson are tough to come by. Many graduates tend to move to cities with a bit more happening. Housing is still fairly affordable and more short-term housing should help keep prices low. This should also offer newer, high quality housing options closer to the City of Henderson and possibly downtown offerings as well.
Employment Opportunity
Saving the best for last! Someone could live in Henderson and work in Richmond essentially opening the door for a bedroom community similar to Richmond & D.C. This should also help cut back on car commuters who live in Henderson now but commute to Raleigh daily for work. Again, this would certainly depend on the frequency and timeline of each departure but this should be the idea along this corridor. This should also save those car commuters some time on their commute and avoid parking fees.
Have you visited Henderson, North Carolina before? If not, what are your thoughts on high-speed corridors through rural towns. Drop your thougts below!
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