City Council approves to negotiate acquisition of Union Pacific’s Old Eagle/Alamo Lumber Property

By: Jose G. Landa, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2015

The Eagle Pass City Council approved to move forward with the acquisition of the real property owned by Union Pacific Railroad located at 709 Quarry Street in Eagle Pass, Texas, locally known as the former Old Eagle/Alamo Lumber Property at the intersection of Ceylon and Quarry Streets for an undisclosed amount and terms or conditions.

During the City Council’s meeting held on Tuesday, September 1, 2015, City Council discussed agenda item No 13 under Executive Session on matters covered by Section 551.071 & 551.072 of Chapter 551, Texas Government Code–Consultation with legal counsel and deliberate the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property offered by Union Pacific Railroad and possible action in open session regarding same.

After reconvening into Open Session, Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu asked the City Council if anyone had a motion to consider.

Eagle Pass City Councilwoman Yolanda P. Ramon made the following motion: “I motion to authorize the City Manager to notify Union Pacific of the Council’s wishes to move forward with the negotiation and sale agreement. This agreement is related to the purchase of the Old Alamo Lumber property and addressing the quite zone areas citizens have been requesting which will be taken into account by closing two public crossings to be determined by council with public input to be taken into consideration and notice by publication to the general public.” The motion was seconded

Mayor Cantu asked if there was any discussion on the matter and there was none had.

Mayor Cantu called the motion for a vote and it was unanimously approved by the City Council.

Since the acquisition of the Union Pacific real property was discussed in Executive Session in consultation with legal counsel Langley & Banack of San Antonio, Texas, very little details are known by taxpayers except for Councilwoman Ramon’s motion which included that the City of Eagle Pass wishes to “purchase” the Old Eagle Lumber/Alamo Lumber property, that Union Pacific will establish some “quiet zones” in the City limits of their rail line, and that the City of Eagle Pass will be required to close two railroad crossings within the city limits after holding public hearings and input as to which two crossings should be closed.

It is no secret that Mayor Ramsey English Cantu has coveted the acquisition of the Union Pacific real property for some time and has had some discussions with U.P. representatives prior to the City Council meeting on September 1st. Mayor Cantu recently attended a Union Pacific Economic Development Conference in June of 2016 at U.P.’s headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. No public meetings or hearings have been held by the City with Eagle Pass taxpayers on whether local citizens actually wish or desire to purchase the Old Eagle Lumber/Alamo Lumber property, and , assuming citizens want the property what do they want to use it for. For example, as a City park, Arts and Entertainment Center, to construct more City buildings or facilities, or what. Time will soon tell once the details of the City’s acquisition are made public.