While the Hillsborough train station project is chugging along, one initial element has now been dropped from its plans. The initial scope of the project was for the building to be “net-zero,” but that was leading to additional costs in the budget for the project.
The Town of Hillsborough signed a funding agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and GoTriangle to fund a future train station in town.
In December 2021, the town chose the firm Clearscapes to create the design for the train station building. The initial budget was set for $7 million, but Public Space and Sustainability Manager Stephanie Trueblood said that might not be enough anymore.
“The pandemic has made the cost of construction skyrocket,” Trueblood said. “Building in Orange County is never cheap. Regulations and permitting control a lot of the cost, especially in terms of the site development.”
Trueblood also cited the town board’s goal to achieve a net-zero ready building as another factor leading to increased costs.
“The energy use and the energy creation of a building, it adds significant costs,” Trueblood said. “If we keep with the current scope of work, we’re looking at a shortfall of two-and-a-half to four million dollars. If we keep with the current budget, then the scope of work of the building needs to change.”
Assistant Town Manager Margaret Hauth said the building needs to be at least 3,500 square feet to accommodate NCDOT offices, waiting areas and restrooms.
“Up until the point they need it, we are welcome to use it,” Hauth said. “One day DOT is going to come and say, ‘Get out. We’re putting the train station in finally.’ Then, we’re going to be scurrying.”
One of the plans for the initially-planned 7,000 square foot building included a large conference meeting room for town commissioner meetings and public events.
Commissioner Kathleen Ferguson urged to keep the net-zero plan in place.
“I feel pretty strongly if we’re not taking action on the net-zero, then we need to just toss our sustainability and energy resolution out the window,” Ferguson said.
Town staff said the term of “net-zero” requires additional funding to create. With a conventional building, staff can pick insulation, HVAC equipment and plumbing equipment to reduce energy use as much as possible without having to prove a target.
Commissioner Matt Hughes agreed with town staff saying there are other ways to reduce carbon usage.
“I think this train station has the ability to offset way more carbon than we would ever achieve just through building a building,” Hughes said. “I’m willing to budge a little bit on the net zero ready [plans] because it does add cost to the project. There are other ways to increase efficiency and offset that carbon.”
The board of commissioners voted unanimously to maintain the scope of the building. They also voted to remove the “net-zero” language from the building but work to get the building as close to energy efficient and net zero as possible. The town has six years remaining to deliver the train station project.
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