CULLMAN – The Urban Renewal and Community Development Board met on Monday evening at Cullman City Hall, where it squashed rumors of a CSX passenger rail service traveling through Cullman.
Cullman Economic Development Agency’s Vice President Dale Greer stated, “We’ve spoken with CSX and they have not been in talks about a passenger service in Cullman at all.”
The board noted that the information provided by various media outlets was erroneous and premature, as not only have there been no formal talks previously, none are currently scheduled in the future.
CSX Transportation Manager of Media Relations Laura Phelps provided the official kibosh on the rumor, which gained momentum through social media outlets.
“CSX’s core business is focused on safe and efficient freight service. We support intercity passenger and commuter mobility through Amtrak and many public service providers operating on our network. When passenger service providers or public agencies approach CSX about exploring new passenger routes, we work closely with them to study the feasibility of the new passenger service. CSX’s participation in these conversations is grounded in four imperatives: safety for both CSX employees and the public, capacity to serve CSX’s current and future customers, no passenger rail subsidy borne by CSX shareholders and reasonable liability protection against new risks. CSX evaluates any new passenger or commuter rail proposal to ensure additional operations do not jeopardize current or future freight service.
Currently, CSX is not aware of any plans to expand passenger service on the CSX network through Cullman. For more information on passenger routes that may be proposed and studied in the future, please contact Amtrak or local and state transportation agencies.”
In additional business, the board discussed the closing of Lufkin Industries on June 17 which terminated the employment of all their workers except for six employees. The removal of equipment from the building began this week and a decision should be made by GE, the owner of the company, in late August or early September regarding the selling of the building.
The Brunner Street Neighborhood Improvement Project Phase II, aided by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs’ Community Development Block Grant, was reported to be moving forward by its appearance as a resolution on the city council’s agenda for later in the evening.
The board entered into executive session to discuss four new items in private per Greer.
The Urban Renewal and Community Development Board meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Auditorium. The meetings are open to the public.
