GUNTER, Texas — BNSF Railway is pulling back from plans to develop a 950-acre logistics center north of Dallas in light of community opposition.
The railroad announced Wednesday that it was withdrawing an application to rezone and annex property in the community of 2,200 in Grayson County, about 45 miles from downtown Dallas, “based on the feedback we have received from the community and city staff.
“BNSF has decided to take time to further consider how we will orient and construct this facility,” a railroad representative said in a statement to KXAS-TV. “… We appreciate the City of Gunter for their continued efforts to work with our company, and look forward to further developing this site in a way that is mutually beneficial to the community and our customers.”
The announcement came on the day the community was scheduled to hold a joint city council and planning commission meeting. Even after BNSF’s withdrawal was announced, the meeting proceeded. Residents voiced opposition to the project based on concerns over traffic and its impact on property values, as well as and how the city council had handled the proposal, KXII reports.
Gunter residents say they value their rural living and fear this project could bring crime and pollution. They want BNSF representatives to put themselves in their shoes, asking them directly if they would live close to this facility.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
The brainy BNSF listens to the people’s voice. After all, as Patti Smith said/sang, “People Have The Power”!
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
That same money could build a nice dedicated bridge for BNSF over the Rio Grande around Laredo.
I suppose there are “NIMBY” communities, even in Texas. But yes, it seems Texas has a more pro-business/pro-growth mentality than California, why have so many relocated to Texas?
I suspect this wasn’t a difficult decision for the BNSF Railway management to make. In addition to the community opposition to this new logistics facility, perhaps the current downturn in intermodal volumes made this facility not pencil-out in the near-term. There will no doubt a future siting of this proposed intermodal logistics facility somewhere in North Texas. Has the Alliance, Texas logistics park already exceeded its operational capacity? (and thus the need for this new logistics facility in north Texas?).
Rather surprised. Texas had formerly beem pro-business/pro-growth. I guess it’s now vying with Virginia to be East California…