The City began seeking passenger rail service in 2003 to provide alternate and equitable transportation service to residents of this community. Passenger rail service allows for affordable access to education, health, and job centers along the North Carolina commuter rail system, as well as travel to other destinations. The passenger rail system continues to expand across this State and recent grant announcements by the Governor show continued investment and growth of the system. Passenger rail will be a critical transportation network in the future and now is Lexington’s opportunity to connect.

In September 2020, USDOT selected Lexington to receive 25 million dollars through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) division of USDOT administers the BUILD grants. Once a federal grant award is announced, prerequisite tasks must be completed before USDOT releases the funds. The City of Lexington and NCDOT have completed all prerequisite tasks for grant obligation. FRA has executed a grant agreement to release the funds to begin the project.

The project includes building two new boarding platforms, renovating the historic freight depot as an interim passenger station, a vehicle tunnel under the railroad at Fifth Avenue, which will connect with Talbert Boulevard, and improving the tracks between the two areas. The project will also include closing the at-grade rail crossing on Seventh Avenue. The project will be complete no later than October 2028.

 View Project Scope Plan

The Breeden Insurance Amphitheater provides the community the perfect venue for entertainment, outdoor activities and more. If you are interested in renting the Amphitheater for your event please contact the Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce.

Lexington celebrated the opening of the Amphitheater with the Depot District Music Fest in April of 2017.

The City is proud of this venue, which reflects the history of the area in its design.

The Amphitheater is the perfect site for community events and hosts the Multicultural Festival, the Barbecue Festival's Jammin' at the Amp, NC's Tribute to the King and other community events.

Two of the district's anchor businesses, Bull City Ciderworks and Goose & the Monkey Brewhouse, make use of creative repurposing and restoration to existing buildings that breathe new life into the Depot District.

The recent additions of Pour Folks Pizza and City Fitness continue to diversify the options available in the district to residents and visitors. 

Luxury apartments are now available with views of the Breeden Insurance Amphitheater and within walking distance of Goose & the Monkey Brewhouse, Bull City Ciderworks and Lexington's primary shopping district, Uptown.

A group of developers are transforming the former NC Candy Factory building located on Salisbury Street into a unique mixed-use project that will enhance the existing businesses in the district and add more options for entertainment and nightlife.

In 2024, the development team of Michael Tesh and Matt Leonard was selected following the request for proposal process. Their proposal comprised of a multi-use area that would include an expansion of Tesh's distillery, a food hall, mini-park, retail spaces and the Edgewood apartments.