Intermodal facility being explored |
Intermodal facility being explored |
Aug 20 2007, 01:01 PM
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Spends WAY too much time at CBTL Group: Admin Posts: 16,426 Joined: 8-December 06 From: Michigan City, IN Member No.: 2 |
http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...amp;TM=54065.42
QUOTE Co. Committee To Look At Intermodal Officials to start advisory task force to ensure ‘transparent’ process in development. Laurie Wink The News-Dispatch LA PORTE - An advisory task force is being created to help county officials evaluate prospective developers and sites for an intermodal freight terminal in La Porte County. County Commission President Barbara Huston said in a press release Friday the commissioners are developing an "orderly and fair process" that would involve public input. The task force will have 15 to 20 members. The convergence of rail lines, coupled with closeness to major interstate highways, has positioned La Porte County as a prime location for a facility that could create jobs and boost economic development. It would serve as a place where cargo is transferred between trucks and trains. Two railroad companies are said to be eying locations here, but are saying little publicly about their plans. Some property owners have said they have been approached by a real estate company that has been buying options on farmland in southern La Porte County. "We will put a very public, transparent process in place to evaluate developers and sites before we ever give approvals to anyone," Huston said. Huston said the county has received multiple inquiries from real estate firms, venture capital groups, railroads and real estate investment trusts interested in prospective county locations. She said county attorney Shaw Friedman and county economic development coordinator Matt Reardon will coordinate contacts and issue a request of interest to identify serious proposals. Her own preference is to use the Kingsbury Industrial Park as the site of the intermodal facility, but she and the other commissioners are open to all possibilities, she said. |
Oct 24 2007, 02:20 PM
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Spends WAY too much time at CBTL Group: Admin Posts: 16,426 Joined: 8-December 06 From: Michigan City, IN Member No.: 2 |
http://heraldargus.com/archives/ha/display.php?id=387527
QUOTE VOP: Friedman expounds on discussions regarding intermodal 10/22/2007, 11:53 am Comment on this story In trying to respond candidly to an H-A reporter for Friday’s story, I indicated my belief that a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) would likely make public an intermodal proposal in January. I have tried to be open with what little we know since contacts from this developer have been preliminary and tentative at best. I have also had “discussions” with the attorneys for various landowners in Union Mills to try to inform them of what we know as well. Those attorneys have been complimentary to date of what they see as a very open and public county process. I also have had “discussions” with others in the logistics industry to gauge what they know of the marketplace and any interest they may be hearing from particular railroads or shippers regarding an intermodal for our county. The county commissioners directed that a process be put together that would provide for openness and transparency. My office has made clear to this developer -- like we would any inquiring developer -- that the commissioners intend any proposal to first go to the Intermodal Task Force for review and evaluation. I do believe it is important to be square with the public with what we know. There is presently no developer or railroad interested in the area west of La Porte near Pinola. The only interest seems to focus on the Union Mills and Kingsbury areas. I have also been candid in speaking with this REIT that my perception is that opposition may be intense to their preferred greenfield site in Union Mills and that the company should at least consider an alternative site proposal for Kingsbury Industrial Park. The last I knew, REIT was commissioning traffic, environmental and market studies to determine how their customers might respond to an intermodal facility here and that a public proposal might well come in January. Prospective developers need to be able to communicate with my office, Economic Development Director Matt Reardon and the chair and vice chair of the task force regarding their intentions. No commitments have been made nor assurances given other than to assure that any proposal submitted will be fully and fairly evaluated by the Intermodal Task Force. SHAW FRIEDMAN La Porte County attorney |
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