(The following story by Aaron Applegate appeared on The Virginian-Pilot website on January 15, 2009.)
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The City Council has agreed to spend $10 million to buy the 10.6-mile Norfolk Southern Corp. right-of-way, the most likely route for a light rail project.
The decision was reached in a closed session meeting Tuesday, according to six people familiar with the negotiations who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the deal, which is still in the works.
Under the plan, the city money would be combined with $10 million in state money and other incentives yet to be finalized.
The deal would accelerate debate about bringing light rail to Virginia Beach. Voters rejected it in a 1999 referendum.
The City Council has not taken an official position on light rail. Some members, such as Mayor Will Sessoms, support it. Others are hesitant.
But all members agreed that the city should own the old railroad right-of-way regardless of whether they pursue light rail.
“We need to control it,” said Vice Mayor Louis Jones, who declined to talk about the details of the deal. “It’s a corridor right in the middle of Virginia Beach.”
Jones, along with Mayor Will Sessoms and state Sen. Ken Stolle, met with Norfolk Southern executives before Christmas to hammer out the deal.
Sessoms and Norfolk Southern officials declined to comment.