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Council agrees to limited scoping on possible removal of Blaine Street rail spur, authorizes up to $5,000 study
Summary
Staff outlined a potential process and costs to remove a rail spur along Blaine Street; councilors agreed to authorize limited preliminary scoping work (approximately $5,000) but not to proceed with large engineering work until property owner intent is clarified.
City staff presented a discussion item on July 21 about the potential removal of a rail spur that runs along Blaine Street and adjacent to the former mill site, and councilors agreed to authorize limited scoping work of roughly $5,000 to gather data and refine costs.
City Manager Will and Public Works staff explained the rail right-of-way is owned by the city but the physical rails are owned by Union Pacific and were previously leased and maintained by the mill under a lease administered through a third party. Staff said that with the mill’s demolition, maintenance obligations under the lease ceased and the city is now responsible for maintenance between and alongside the rails.
Will outlined a multi-step process referencing OAR 741.2 and ORS chapter 824 that would begin with ODOT Rail and could take a year or more to progress to a meaningful response, plus additional staff time, GIS mapping and engineering study work. Will estimated study-level engineering scoping could be roughly $50,000 for a full scope but suggested an initial $5,000 study to gather facts.
Councillors discussed whether to proceed now or wait until the Community Development Corporation (CDC) — owners of the mill property — clarify their plans; one councilor noted CDC advertising the property as having a rail spur and recommended caution. Several councilors said they favored limited scoping to be prepared if the mill site sells, while not spending major sums or making physical repairs until the property’s future is clearer.
Councilor McBride and others said they would not support spending larger sums now and suggested staff “bank” funds in the transportation fund if needed. The council reached informal agreement to proceed with limited preliminary scoping of up to about $5,000, but no formal resolution or binding vote was taken; staff will not proceed with large engineering or crossing restoration without further council direction and additional information from CDC or ODOT.
