Mayor's vision back on track

NORTH CHARLESTON - Mayor Keith Summey might get what he wants when it comes to railroads and protecting Park Circle and other revitalized neighborhoods.

The mayor on Wednesday unveiled an expansive rerouting of tracks that would eliminate a controversial rail line from the north to serve the State Ports Authority terminal being constructed at the city's south end.

A key provision is that CSX Transportation agrees to let leading competitor, Norfolk Southern, use its rail lines to access the new terminal, albeit for a cost.

As envisioned by the mayor, the compromise means each carrier gets access to the SPA terminal when it opens in 2017, and follows the Lowcountry's most desired method of shipping goods through the new port: by rail, rather than putting more trucks on Interstate 26.

If the measure becomes a reality, it would preserve 15 years' worth of redevelopment and put the question over rail lines to rest, Summey said. "This is the answer," he added.

But it was unclear Wednesday what the added cost would be for Norfolk Southern, and whether paying for use of CSX's lines would hurt -- rather than boost -- the railway's competitiveness. Existing switching fees between rail companies can run nearly $500 per rail car, industry officials said.

Summey timed his announcement in advance of a community forum set for tonight in Park Circle, where city staff will be on hand to answer residents' questions. Hundreds are expected to assemble at the Felix C. Davis Community Center, beginning at 5 p.m.

First reading of a City Council ordinance outlining the proposal and memorandum of understanding is expected to follow.

While Summey contends the rerouting solves most everyone's concerns, the effort hinges on several potentially expensive land acquisitions for the redirected lines, a cost the city hopes can be met through securing millions of dollars in federal grants.

Another issue is getting key South Carolina lawmakers to halt the effort by legislators and others who think Norfolk Southern should -- in the name of competition -- have its own rail line access to the new port from the north. The city staunchly opposes this because the extra rail traffic would thwart years of residential redevelopment in the East Montague Avenue area southward to the former Charleston Naval Base.

Ron Brinson, a port expert privy to the rail discussions, called the city "the big winner" in the agreement. "It's very unusual for big railroads to give those kind of concessions," he said.

Another winner would be Shipyard Creek Associates, which hopes to open a nearby intermodal railyard by 2014, depending on how quickly the new container terminal opens. Robert Clement, a co-owner, said, "This isn't going to solve every single issue with the port or every single rail issue. It's just one step."

Others, meanwhile, seemed excluded from the discussion. Officials with the State Ports Authority and South Carolina Public Railways, an arm of the state Commerce Department, were unaware of the proposal and instead support a train-transfer facility accessible to both CSX and Norfolk Southern.

Robin Chapman, spokesman for Norfolk Southern, also said the company was not involved in drafting the city's memorandum of understanding and wants to see an intermodal yard placed elsewhere. "We don't believe it's in the right spot," he said, adding that he is working with the State Ports Authority and Public Railways to develop a more appropriate facility served by both railroads near Veterans Terminal.

Details of the plan, crafted between the city, CSX and Shipyard Creek Associates, a development company that owns two large industrial sites near the new port, include:

--CSX would abandon or deed to the city several miles of rail line along Spruill Avenue from the vicinity of Braddock Avenue to Viaduct Road.

-- Removing this line would allow Park Circle, Olde North Charleston, Century Oaks, Horizon Village, Noisette, Union Heights and Chicora Cherokee neighborhoods to be knitted back together, the city said, adding that no rail would come through Chicora-Cherokee, and rail would be shifted out of the Park Circle area. The abandoned corridor could be used for bike paths, transit lines and possibly infill development.

--Opening up the Stromboli Corridor between Meeting Street Road and Spruill Avenue.

--Using federal grants, the city would purchase about 40 acres of industrial land along the Stromboli Corridor where an overflow rail line for CSX would be run.

--Redevelopment of CSX's Cooper Yard and the Macalloy Site, where Shipyard Creek Associates owns property, into an intermodal rail yard and warehousing facility. The soon-to-be demolished Charleston County incinerator also could become part of the support property; Shipyard Creek's operators have a contract on it.

Summey said he released the plan now, between legislative sessions, because he wanted to see it put in motion before a new governor takes office and begins work on what would be a new administration's busy agenda. He met with members of the Charleston County legislative delegation Wednesday to brief them on the plan. House Speaker Bobby Harrell, a Charleston Republican, said he was encouraged by Summey's proposal but not ready to commit because it was his first exposure to the idea.

Reached after the meeting, a state senator who has been a part of the dual rail debate said that unless the state controls the switching, Norfolk Southern could find itself at the mercy of CSX's timetable on getting its rail goods through.

State Sen. Larry Grooms, a Bonneau Republican, did not attend the meeting and said he was skeptical the plan could work because of who would be the dominate owner of the access lines. "It makes it a non-competitive situation," Grooms said. He added that "true competitive dual rail access is what's good for our state's economy."

Summey responded that the issue of paying for rail use and its associated costs would be the same here as it is anywhere where joint use of track lines is the norm, and that the plan was the best way to preserve the city and its course of development.

"I think it's important to understand we won't waver," he said.

Robert Behre of The Post and Courier contributed to this report. Reach Schuyler Kropf at 937-5551 or skropf@postandcourier.com. Reach Allyson Bird at 947-5594 or abird@postandcourier.com