(The following story by Michael Tomberlin appeared on the Birmingham News website on July 30, 2009.)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The man who spent three years helping to lure the $112 million Norfolk Southern railroad hub to McCalla is now working for the railroad in an attempt to smooth things over with neighbors opposed to the project.
Ted vonCannon, former president of the Metropolitan Development Board, told Bessemer area business leaders Wednesday that he is convinced the cargo-loading facility represents a major boon for the metro area. The project promises to create thousands of jobs and have an economic impact that reaches into the billions of dollars over the years, he said.
VonCannon, who is a paid consultant for the railroad, also said he thinks Norfolk Southern will end up being a better neighbor than some McCalla residents now believe.
“It’s a project I believe has great merit,” vonCannon said. “Is everybody going to be happy? Of course not. But I believe there can be a greater understanding.”
VonCannon was the keynote speaker at the 20th Annual Bessemer Business Awards the Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce and the Bessemer Rotary Club held at Lawson State Community College.
VonCannon, who retired as MDB chief, said he believes that residents will eventually see the intermodal facility as a positive development.
Mike Thompson, a founder and leader of the No Hub 4 McCalla group combating the project, was at the luncheon Wednesday. He said the group is not opposed to talks with Norfolk Southern officials when the time is right.
“There is a perfect time to do everything,” Thompson said. “At some point in time we would be willing to sit down and talk to them.”
At a meeting at McAdory Elementary School on Monday night, nearly 300 residents turned out to hear from the No Hub 4 McCalla leadership. Many wore bright yellow T-shirts opposing the project.
They have said the promise of jobs made by Norfolk Southern is exaggerated. They said Norfolk Southern officials told them in a meeting the facility will create only 70 jobs, not the 600 that’s being mentioned.
But Rudy Husband, Norfolk Southern’s spokesman, said Tuesday it is sticking with its estimates of job creation, including a total of 8,600 total direct and indirect jobs by 2020.
Husband said 600 jobs will be created directly as the result of the terminal, and including those who work in the hub and those at supporting operations. Some of those jobs will be Norfolk Southern jobs, and some will be with vendors, suppliers and contractors, he said.
The 8,600 figure includes jobs at those companies that locate or expand operations due to the hub, including new distribution centers, light manufacturers and other companies that could be in Bibb, Blount, Chilton, Jefferson, St. Clair, Shelby and Walker counties.
The No Hub group is trying to raise money for legal fees in case they pursue a legal challenge to the project. They are also close to finishing and environmental study to see if the 316-acre site picked for the facility deserves special protection.
The group is also joined by the Parent Teacher Association at the school, which borders the hub site. The PTA is concerned over noise and diesel fumes from trucks at the hub.
Those opposed to the project do not believe Norfolk Southern is giving proper concern to the school or the community.
“Norfolk Southern doesn’t care about your kids,” Larry Argo, a leader of No Hub 4 McCalla, told a crowd at Monday’s meeting. “Norfolk Southern is looking out for Norfolk Southern. It’s up to us to look out for ourselves.”