Norfolk Southern Railway announced that it intends to spend over $25 million to upgrade and revitalize East Palestine City Park as part of the railroad’s response to help make things right following the catastrophic train derailment earlier this year.
The announcement follows East Palestine City Council approving the proposed plans for the project on Monday night. Norfolk Southern will now develop a full master plan for the community park in the village’s center.
The proposed plan, which Norfolk Southern will carry out over multiple phases, includes renovations and aesthetic additions, which the rail giant said it designed to maintain the park’s history and natural beauty.
Norfolk Southern said that major elements of the proposed park improvements include a new aquatic center and pool house, three new modern playgrounds, upgraded baseball fields, new basketball and tennis courts, improvements to the pavilion, a new amphitheater, enhanced parking lots, and general upgrades to facilities and walkways.
The total improvements are expected to cost over $25 million. The donation to East Palestine City Park brings Norfolk Southern’s financial commitment to East Palestine to approximately $62 million.
According to the press release, the park hosts community gatherings, sporting activities, fireworks displays, and other events, serving as the village’s social center.
According to Norfolk Southern CEO Allen Shaw, the park improvements and the recently announced donation of the historic train depot are key aspects of the rail giants’ plan to invest in the community’s future.
“Through multiple visits, I have seen firsthand the love and pride the community has for the park and we are honored to support meaningful improvements,” Shaw said.
To lead the park’s development, the corporation sought the assistance of Pittsburgh-based architecture firm Michael Baker International to collaborate with Norfolk Southern’s chief engineer David Becker to develop the master plan. Once the design is complete, Michael Baker International will manage the construction project bidding and award all contracts to local, qualified Ohio-based businesses.
Each proposed component will go before the city council for approval before construction can begin.
According to East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway, it seems like the rail giant is making strides to make things right following the derailment.
“This is a long process and it’s going to take a lot to get cleaned up, but I believe this village is going to be better than it was before the derailment. It seems like Norfolk Southern is trying to make it right and I just ask for everyone’s patience through this process,” Conaway said.
On February 3rd, 50 train carriages, 10 of which were carrying hazardous materials, derailed as a result of a technical problem with a rail car axle, according to federal authorities. There was vinyl chloride in five of the vehicles. Hundreds of residents evacuated as a result of the controlled release of poisonous gasses that Norfolk Southern carried out on February 6th to stop an explosion.
Norfolk Southern faces a lawsuit from Ohio’s Attorney General Dave Yost over costs for the cleanup of the toxic chemical spill and environmental damage, even as it collaborates to establish funds for resident health care, property value issues, and water protections. The federal government is also suing the railroad company.
Norfolk Southern is also facing a special investigation launched by the National Transportation Safety Board that it said will look into the company’s organization and safety.
According to the Ohio EPA, Norfolk Southern has hauled approximately 20.2 million gallons of liquid wastewater out of East Palestine. A pile of approximately 11,400 tons of excavated soil is waiting for removal from East Palestine versus 66,300 tons that Norfolk Southern has removed.
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Hannah Poling is a lead reporter at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Follow Hannah on Twitter @HannahPoling1. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “East Palestine Park” by eastpalestine-oh.gov.
