City of Monroe Leadership Tours Historic Railroad Area in Winchester as Part of Revitalization Initiative

The Winchester Revitalization Committee held a meeting on-site in the Winchester community on Friday, July 18, 2025, as part of the City’s ongoing revitalization and planning efforts. The meeting provided an opportunity for Committee members, City officials, and stakeholders to explore the area’s redevelopment potential and reconnect with the neighborhood’s rich cultural and economic history.

The Winchester Revitalization initiative focuses on transforming public-owned land into a vibrant space that supports local business growth, open public areas, and future retail opportunities. A plan builds upon Winchester’s historic identity, aiming to preserve its legacy while creating a sustainable vision for the future.

Part of Winchester’s significance is rooted in Monroe’s railroad heritage. In the early 20th century, the community was home to the Seaboard Air Line Railway, including a 100-foot turntable and a seven-stall roundhouse built around 1908. These facilities once supported a 12-track rail yard with steam locomotives, water towers, and a network of freight and passenger services connected through the Union Depot. As diesel engines replaced steam engines in the 1950s, these structures were removed.

"The Winchester Revitalization Committee aims to preserve rich history through economic redevelopment to fully integrate this public-owned space back into the Winchester community and the City of Monroe," said Mayor Robert Burns.

The Winchester Revitalization Committee, chaired by Mayor Pro Tem Surluta Anthony, was established in 2024 by Mayor Burns and includes the Mayor, Council Member Julie Thompson, City staff, and community representatives. The City has engaged LandDesign, a leading urban design and planning firm, to guide the project’s vision and development strategy.

“This is a major project being undertaken by the City. It’s a game-changer not only for the Winchester community, but for the City of Monroe. The potential is endless. This is an exciting project," said Mayor Pro Tem Anthony.

This particular meeting marked the first on-site session, offering consultants and participants a firsthand look at the former turntable site, the extent of City-owned public land, and the area’s development potential. City Manager Mark Watson led the tour and shared background on the history and potential for the area. David Carriker, author of "A Monroe, North Carolina Railroad Story", participated and identified various artifacts along the way.

“A key feature will be to connect Winchester to Downtown Monroe in a way that provides a critical link in the expansion of Downtown Monroe,” said Manager Watson.

The City will continue public engagement efforts as the planning phase progresses. Future steps from LandDesign include compiling the data collected from the site visit and preparing an interactive map. The consultant will compile the ideas and feedback from the meetings and site visit to conduct public engagements. LandDesign will prepare a master plan for the redevelopment area, followed by a grading impact analysis and soil impact analysis.

“The Winchester Revitalization Committee has great momentum and limitless possibilities. The efforts to preserve the history while providing new economic opportunities is a huge and amazing step for the City of Monroe,” said Council Member Julie Thompson.

For more information about the Winchester Revitalization Project, please contact Assistant City Manager Jeffrey Wells at jwells@monroenc.org or visit www.monroenc.org.