NORFOLK, Va., Feb. 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Norfolk
Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) today announced it has terminated
plans to build a rail transfer facility on the site of the former
Chattahoochee Brick Company in Atlanta.
"We accepted from the beginning that we had a special
responsibility to develop this site in a socially and
environmentally responsible way, given the atrocities that once
took place there," said James A.
Squires, chairman, president and CEO. "We believe our
project presented an opportunity to create a long-overdue memorial
to the painful legacy of the site, and at the same time reshape its
future by building new river trails and putting the long-abandoned
land back into productive use in a way that benefits the regional
economy."
Norfolk Southern's decision comes after the City of Atlanta filed a petition for
preliminary injunction last week with the federal Surface
Transportation Board. Although the company believes the City's
action lacks legal merit, Norfolk Southern listened to the
community and has no interest in protracted litigation if the City
opposes the project.
"We pride ourselves on being a good corporate citizen in the
communities where we operate," said Squires. "In this case, that
means walking away from the project despite our very best efforts
to work with the community on the responsible development of the
site."
Throughout 2020, Norfolk Southern worked closely with local
elected officials, held multiple meetings to listen to the concerns
of community stakeholders, and incorporated that feedback into
plans for the site.
Norfolk Southern had offered to work with community
representatives to design and build a memorial, at the company's
expense, to ensure the history of the site is never
forgotten. The company also expressed support – and conducted
site tours with stakeholders – for creating public-access trails on
the site along the Chattahoochee River and Proctor Creek, as many
environmental and community groups advocated.
In addition to complying with rigorous environmental standards
for site redevelopment, Norfolk Southern was working with the
Georgia Environmental Protection Division, through the voluntary
Georgia Brownfields Program, to perform extensive environmental
remediation of the property.
The company also engaged outside experts to perform an
archaeological and historical survey, as well as archaeological
excavation in certain areas. No evidence was found of a
cemetery on the site, but given the site's tragic legacy, the
company committed to exercise great care as development
continued.
The company will complete the necessary work to stabilize and
secure the site and then withdraw.
About Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern Corporation
(NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation's premier transportation
companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates
approximately 19,300 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major
container port in the eastern United
States, and provides efficient connections to other rail
carriers. Norfolk Southern is a major transporter of industrial
products, including agriculture, forest and consumer products,
chemicals, and metals and construction materials. In addition, the
railroad operates the most extensive intermodal network in the East
and is a principal carrier of coal, automobiles, and
automotive parts.
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/norfolk-southern-terminates-project-on-former-chattahoochee-brick-company-site-301231101.html
SOURCE Norfolk Southern Corporation