County ‘carrot’ to CSX: close crossing in Olustee to facilitate industrial tract

By Joel Addington   

Baker County commissioners decided February 5 that closing a railroad crossing at Ocean Street in Olustee was a small price to pay for a free park and more industrial jobs in Baker County.

In passing a resolution authorizing the filing of an application with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to request the closing, commissioners showed their support for developer Avery Roberts’ 1000-acre industrial park project.

Roberts said the closing and relocation of the crossing to another spot would provide better access to his property.

“It’s critical,” he told the commission.  

However, CSX’s manager of regional development Aubrey Brown said typically the railroad requires the closing of three crossings for every new one opened. And since Mr. Roberts only has one crossing under his control to close, he asked the county to request closing its crossing at Ocean Street.

With both crossings closed and the economic benefit a new industrial park would bring to CSX, Mr. Roberts said he’s confident the railroad would approve his proposal for relocating the crossing.

The new crossing will also have to gain approval from FDOT, said Janice Bordelon, the department’s rail program specialist.  

“Our desire is to always look at safety as the number one thing,” she said. “And anytime there’s an opportunity for a train to meet a car, we want to eliminate that possibility.”

However, Ms. Bordelon also said that FDOT supports transportation by rail over roads because railroads are more fuel efficient and pollute the environment less.

The application would not be approved without a “thorough analysis,” she said.

Through his discussions with FDOT, Mr. Roberts said he’s also confident the department would approve his plans, despite having no firm commitment from FDOT or CSX.

Darryl Register, executive director of the Baker County Development Commission, spoke in favor of the project, saying it’s the first in the county to provide potential railroad access.

In return for the county’s support, Mr. Roberts pledged to build a park near the Olustee fire station.

Two Olustee residents, Freeman Dowling and Roy Couey, opposed the closing because it would lengthen routes to the church and post office off Ocean Street.

Mr. Dowling also asked that, if the closing was granted, could sidewalks be installed for Olustee rather than a park. Mr. Roberts said the $50,000 he budgeted for the park could be used for sidewalks or split between the park and sidewalks.

“If sidewalks are better for the community, that’s fine,” he said.

Commissioner Alex Robinson said he voted for the closing because of the jobs Mr. Roberts’ project is expected to bring to Baker County.

“Normally I’m not in favor of closing crossings,” said Mr. Robinson, “but for what this means for the future of Baker County, I have to vote for this.”

After the resolution was unanimously approved, county attorney Terence Brown said he would draw up a contract between the county and Mr. Roberts for construction of the park.

In other business, the commission awarded Gary Blue of the road department Employee of the Month honors, handed Miss Baker County Chelsey Davis a check for $250 and approved the following items under the consent agenda:

• Bid results for publishing of the Tax Collector’s Delinquent Tax List.

• Minutes from the last meeting held January 22.

• Scheduling of a public hearing on school concurrency elements of the comprehensive plan for February 18.

Webmaster:     webmaster@woodstockbaker.com