City of Gainesville - File #: 050569

• File #: 050569
• Version: 1
• Name: Request to Refer the 6th Street Corridor Rail Trail Abandon CSX Railroad Right-of-Way Acquisition to the Public Works Committee (B)
• Type: Staff Recommendation
• Status: Filed
• File created: 1/26/2006
• In control: Public Works Committee
• Title: Request to Refer the 6th Street Corridor Rail Trail Abandon CSX Railroad Right-of-Way Acquisition to the Public Works Committee (B)

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
1/26/2006	1	Public Works Committee
11/14/2005	0	City Commission	Approved as Recommended	Pass

Title

Request to Refer the 6^th Street Corridor Rail Trail Abandon CSX Railroad Right-of-Way Acquisition to the Public Works Committee (B)

Explanation

The State of Florida, through the Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Greenways and Trails, has been negotiating with the Trust for Public Lands (TPL) and CSX for the purchase of a section of abandoned railroad right-of-way needed for the 6^th Street Corridor Rail Trail Project.  This stretch of railroad right-of-way generally starts at the northern terminus of the Downtown Connector Rail Trail (just west of SE 4^th Street) and runs northerly up to the north right-of-way line of NW 23^rd Avenue.  The negotiations are nearing completion and matters of liability concerning areas of soil and groundwater contamination need to be resolved.  Currently, additional environmental investigation is underway that will determine the scope and estimated cost associated with the contamination remediation.  The cost and available outside funding are considerations in this negotiation.  The environmental concerns for this portion of the abandon CSX railroad right-of-way are similar to those encountered for the Downtown Connector Rail Trail project, in which the City was willing to assume the responsibility for environmental remediation.

Recommendation

The Public Works Committee hear an update from staff.