Another snafu develops, along with those of K Street, flood control, and the myriad other issues bedeviling public leadership apparently (so far) unable to get much accomplished in any area important to the present and future of our community.
Editoriall: Avoiding a train wreck for railyard development
Key project is at risk unless developers, and museum backers seek compromises
Published 12:00 am PDT Sunday, October 21, 2007
It's hardly surprising that Sacramento's downtown railyard would spur intense passions over plans for this 240-acre property.
The railyard is a major prize – both for residents who treasure its historical significance and, potentially, for Thomas Enterprises, the Atlanta company that managed to wrest it from the Union Pacific railroad.
If this property didn't inspire fierce debates, it would have no value. Instead, it has immense value. This was the western terminus of the transcontinental railroad and the site of the largest industrial shops west of the Mississippi River. It's an integral part of Sacramento's past, and, with the right civic engagement and mix of investment, it could be a catalyst for the city's future.
Yet right now, there's a real fear that supporters of a rail technology museum and Thomas Enterprises are becoming locked in a conflict that will turn self-destructive. This dispute, if it continues to escalate, could slow down and possibly thwart efforts to redevelop the railyard.
Such an outcome would hardly help the cause of historic preservation. It also would be a crushing blow for the city's vision of the railyard filled with new housing, entertainment, cultural attractions and a new transportation hub.
