Proposal For Railroad Relocation In Sioux Falls

A project once thought dead is moving forward yet again.

City officials outlined details Tuesday in a draft proposal between Sioux Falls and the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad company, laying out the terms of a potential sale of the downtown Sioux Falls rail yard.

The city wants to free up 9.5 acres for redevelopment along the East Bank.

"It just essentially establishes those basic terms for a purchase of the downtown rail yard if the straight sale becomes the preferred option through the environmental assessment," Sioux Falls Public Works Director Mark Cotter said.

While a price has not been set, under the agreement, the city would have to pay for the land, as well as the removal of all rail and other clean up. 

The guidelines also call for the city to reimburse BNSF for any additional operating costs incurred because of the removal of the yard.