Coalition emerges against Union Pacific rail yard

[TexasTowelie]

A coalition of landowners, farmers and residents of Mumford are uniting in opposition of Union Pacific Railroad’s plans to build a railroad classification yard on about 1,000 acres of land between Hearne and Mumford [northwest of Bryan/College Station].

The land that the company would acquire for the yard is agricultural and used to grow cotton, corn, peanuts, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa. Although plans for the yard are not definite, it would be assembled from pieces of property that belong to at least 20 different landowners.

Locals gathered in an attempt to better understand what Union Pacific’s plans were on July 18 and decided to form a committee to lead efforts against the yard’s proposed location.

On Wednesday, the committee met and decided that they would pursue a public meeting between Union Pacific and everyone who would be impacted by the project, including landowners, tenant farmers and local residents.

More at http://www.theeagle.com/article/20120804/BC0101/120809844/1142

[elleng]

1. UP will likely be successful, imo, UNLESS

ALL, or a vast majority of landowners, refuse to negotiate.

'Raquel Espinoza, a spokesperson for the company, said real estate transactions with landowners are made individually.

“Once we speak with property owners individually, we would be more than happy to host an information session,” Espinoza said.'