(The Associated Press circulated the following story on April 1.)
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Legal wranglings over a proposed railroad monument and visitor’s center in North Platte could put the project on hold for up to two years and increase costs, organizers said.
The organizers of the Golden Spike project said in a statement Wednesday the delay would be due to a lawsuit by a group of four North Platte men that is challenging the city’s use of an occupancy tax to help fund the monument.
A district judge threw out the lawsuit earlier this month, but the men have filed an appeal.
Construction on the tower was expected to begin in mid April.
Board of Directors President DiAnn Kolkman said the appeal makes it unlikely they would sign contracts to go forward with construction.
The proposed tourist attraction would overlook Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard.