(The Citizen posted the following story by Mary Alys Cherry on its website on April 9.)
HOUSTON — The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad has filed suit against the City of Houston to begin condemnation proceedings on land it wants to build a railroad.
The action comes on behalf of its partnership with four Bayport chemical companies that announced plans to build a $80 million, 12.8 mile railway from Bayport around the northern edge of Clear Lake City two years ago.
They currently are waiting on a permit from the U.S. Surface Transportation Board, which is expected to release its findings in early May.
Houston City Councilwoman Dr. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs says the city land involved is on the southernmost of the proposed rail routes – the one closest to Sylvan Rodriguez Park.
She said City Council voted last Wednesday to hire the law firm of Vinson and Elkins to represent it in the litigation.
“This firm has successfully defended private citizens against condemnation proceedings initiated by the city in the past,” she said.
“The comments made by hundreds of concerned citizens and municipalities have provided impetus for the STB to review the action of BNSF with great care before issuing a permit to build the new rail line.”
She said she is continuing to work with BNSF and Union Pacific Railroad, the Bayport chemical companies and the neighborhoods at risk to find an equitable solution…’
Sekula-Gibbs, along with many other residents, are of the opinion that “sharing trackage rights and expanding rail transportation along Highway 146” is the best way to go.
Other members of the San Jacinto Rail partnership are Lyondell Chemical, Atofina Petrochemicals, Basell USA and Equistar Chemicals.