CSX official gives roundhouse supporters July 10 deadline

July 02, 1998|By JULIE E. GREENE

CSX Real Property President Stephen Beck said Wednesday he's given supporters of the Hagerstown roundhouse until July 10 to save the railroad buildings from demolition.

Beck said he has asked the demolition contractors whether costs would rise if they delayed razing the property for 30 or 60 days, but hadn't received an answer on Wednesday.

Beck said CSX officials will continue efforts to get a demolition permit so the demolition can proceed if progress isn't made in efforts to save the 40-acre complex along South Burhans Boulevard.

Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum Inc. President Bob Tracey said museum officials could use a 30- to 60-day extension since it could take that long to get answers to environmental questions about the property and get a fund-raiser started.

CSX officials have asked the museum to reimburse them for the $500,000 in cleanup costs, which would include removing asbestos and lead paint.

The company also wants a government agency to assume legal responsibility for any problems that might arise with the deteriorating buildings or underground environmental hazards.

"I'm nervous about not moving forward as quickly as possible," said Beck. He said he worries that someone trespassing on the roundhouse property could get hurt.

A July 10 meeting to discuss saving the roundhouse, which he characterized as a negotiating session with attorneys present, will be closed to the public, Beck said.

"I'm not going to do it in a public forum. We may be talking about things I don't want the public to know about," he said.

|

|

|