County hopes to develop land into multi-use trail

Freeborn County commissioners on Tuesday approved a $1.1 million purchase agreement with Union Pacific Railroad to acquire an abandoned rail line from Albert Lea to Hartland.

County officials hope to eventually develop the land into a multi-use trail.

Freeborn County Administrator John Kluever said the county now has roughly 30 days to study the contract and walk the grounds to make sure it is clear of debris. If all goes according to plan, the county and railroad company would close on the property Dec. 18.

The county has been working to acquire the 12 miles of land from Union Pacific since 2010, when Union Pacific officials sent out a letter to county, state and federal officials informing them of their proposed plan to abandon the line. The line had not been used for several years.

Though a majority of the line is outside Albert Lea, it does slice through a good portion of the city.

Contractors removed the rails and ties along the corridor in 2011, and in the months since, Freeborn County officials have been in negotiations with Union Pacific.

The cost of the property will be paid through a $950,000 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources grant and a $150,000 federal grant.

How the development of the trail will be paid for after the land is acquired has yet to be determined.The completed trail is projected to bolster property values and make adjacent properties easier to sell.