Agenda Item # 1
Columbus Consolidated Government
Council Meeting
October 12, 2010
Agenda Report # 560
TO: Mayor and Council
SUBJECT: Federal Surplus Property - Fort Benning Railroad Corridor
INITIATED BY: Rick Jones, Director of Planning
Recommendation: Approval is requested to submit an application to the National
Park Service (NPS) for the purpose of acquiring the Fort Benning Railroad
Corridor.
Background: On September 3, 2010, the General Services Administration (GSA)
determined the Fort Benning Railroad Corridor to be surplus federal government
property. The property is offered "as is" and "where is" without
representation, warranty, or guaranty as to quantity, quality, title,
character, condition, size or kind or that the sum is in condition or fit to be
used for the purpose for which intended.
The Fort Benning Railroad Corridor is a former railroad corridor, which is
still actively used as a utility corridor. The corridor is approximately 200
feet in width, 11,980 feet in length, and comprises and aggregate 55 linear
acres. The utilities located along the corridor serve adjacent parcels located
along the corridor, but the site is not served by or connected to utilities. A
very small portion of the property is utilized by a private company as a
shipping and receiving operation of their food processing facility.
The applicable regulations provide that nonfederal public agencies shall be
allowed to submit a formal application for surplus real property in a
reasonable period of time. There are 4 criteria for which the property can be
utilized by the nonfederal public agency:
1) Negotiated sales to public bodies for public purposes generally;
2) Protection of public health (homeless use / drug rehab);
3) Correctional facility use; and
4) Public park or recreation use.
The Columbus Consolidated Government (CCG) intends to utilize Criteria #4,
public park or recreation use.
Analysis: A written notice has been submitted to GSA and NPS to notify them of
our determination to acquire the property for use as a linear park(s). The
next step is to submit the formal application, which includes a resolution in
support of said property acquisition.
Financial Considerations: The CCG is seeking a full public benefit conveyance
from the GSA and the NPS.
Legal Considerations: The CCG is following federal guidelines as it relates to
this property. The proposed resolution is attached.
Recommendations/ Actions: To authorize the submittal of an application to the
National Park Service (NPS) for the purpose of acquiring the Fort Benning
Railroad Corridor.
A RESOLUTION
NO. ___________
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLICATION TO THE
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND IF APPROVED ACCEPT THE FORT BENNING RAILROAD CORRIDOR
WHEREAS, certain real property owned by the United States of America,
located in the City of Columbus, County of Muscogee, State of Georgia, has been
declared surplus and, at the discretion of the General Services Administration,
may be assigned to the Secretary of the Interior for disposal for public park
or recreational purposes under the provisions of Section 203(k)(2) of the
Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, as amended [40 U.S.C.
? 550(e), formerly 40 U.S.C. ? 484(k)(2)], and any regulations and policies
promulgated pursuant thereto, more particularly described as follows:
Fort Benning Railroad corridor
Acreage: 55 acres
General Services Administration Control Number: 4-D-GA-0518AD
WHEREAS, the Columbus Consolidated Government needs and will use said
property in perpetuity for public park or recreational purposes as set forth in
its application and in accordance with the requirements of said Act and any
regulations and policies promulgated thereunder;
________
NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, HEREBY RESOLVES:
That the Columbus Consolidated Government shall make application to the
National Park Service for, and secure the transfer to, the above-mentioned
property for said use and subject to such exceptions, reservations, terms,
covenants, agreements, conditions, and restrictions as the National Park
Service and the Federal disposal agency may require in connection with the
disposal of said property under said Act and the regulations and policies
issued pursuant thereto.
Be It Further Resolved that the Columbus Consolidated Government has
legal authority, and is willing and able, to properly develop, maintain,
operate, and assume liability of the property, and that the Mayor, City
Manager, City Attorney and Finance Director are hereby authorized, for and on
behalf of the Columbus Consolidated Government to do and perform any and all
acts and things which may be necessary to carry out the foregoing resolution,
including the preparing, making, and filing of plans, applications, reports,
and other documents, the execution, acceptance, delivery, and recordation of
agreements, deeds, and other instruments pertaining to the transfer of said
property, including the filing of copies of the application and the conveyance
documents in the records of the governing body, and the payment of any and all
sums necessary on account of the purchase price thereof or fees or costs
incurred in connection with the transfer of said property for survey, title
searches, recordation or instruments, or other costs identified with the
acquisition of said property.
________
Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held the
day of ____________, 2010, and adopted at said meeting by the
affirmative vote of _______ members of said Council.
Councilor Allen voting _______.
Councilor Anthony voting _______.
Councilor Baker voting _______.
Councilor Barnes voting _______.
Councilor Davis voting _______.
Councilor Henderson voting _______.
Councilor Hunter voting _______.
Councilor McDaniel voting _______.
Councilor Pugh voting _______.
Councilor Woodson voting _______.
____________
_________________________
Tiny B. Washington, Clerk of Council Jim Wetherington, Mayor
Attachments
No attachments for this document.