Title
Exchange of Land Rights along the LYNX Light Rail Corridor with East West Station Retail LP
Action
Action:
A. Adopt a resolution authorizing an exchange of land rights between the City of Charlotte and East West Station Retail LP or its successors and assigns (“Property Owner”) involving parcel identification number 121-015-04,
B. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to complete the exchange of land rights between the City of Charlotte and Property Owner, and
C. Adopt a budget ordinance appropriating $287,934 from East West Station Retail LP for full and fair consideration of CATS-owned property in the CATS Capital Investment Plan Fund.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
John Lewis, Jr., CATS
John Howard, CATS
Explanation
§ The Property Owner is proposing to build a 23-story commercial development (“Development”) in South End near the intersection of East Boulevard and Camden Road, adjacent to the LYNX East/West Station, in Council District 3.
§ In order to construct the Development, the Property Owner requires use of some of the City’s excess LYNX right-of-way. The City’s ownership of the LYNX right-of-way between Scaleybark and Uptown is a “charter” right-of-way that the City originally purchased from Norfolk Southern Railroad.
§ The City’s right-of-way is approximately 130 feet wide, which is wider than necessary for the City’s use and development of the LYNX Blue Line and Rail Trail. Therefore, per the City’s Administrative Policy, the City generally retains approximately 70 feet in width while allowing the excess right-of-way of approximately 30 feet on either side to be used by the adjacent Property Owner to facilitate transit supportive redevelopment.
§ In order to construct the Development, the Property Owner must also relocate certain fixtures owned by the City, including a decorative water fountain, bike racks, and two Overhead Catenary System poles which are a part of the LYNX Rail System.
§ The Property Owner will exchange property rights with the City for full and fair consideration as required by law. Fair consideration can be any combination of cash, real property, or personal property and other benefits.
§ The exchange is recommended for the following reasons:
- The Property Owner will convey approximately 13,687 square feet of that portion of the rail corridor used by LYNX and the Rail Trail to the City and will be required to reconstruct and maintain the City’s Rail Trail on this property, as well as certain other improvements and aesthetic enhancements outlined in a license agreement. The Property Owner will also be required to install certain ADA improvements to enhance the accessibility of the LYNX East/West Station. To bring this transaction to the standard of full and fair consideration, as required by North Carolina law, the Property Owner must also remit to the City $287,934. The property, improvements, maintenance obligations, and remittance have a total combined value of approximately $742,500.
- The City will release approximately 8,250 square feet of excess right-of-way, valued at approximately $742,500, to the Property Owner. Additionally, the City will execute a License Agreement, and other similar documents, with the Property Owner that requires the Property Owner to construct and maintain the Rail Trail as described above and allows for the construction of the Development.
Background
§ The Council-adopted Transit Station Area Plans define development standards for property adjacent to the rail corridor and envision that excess right-of-way will be incorporated into adjacent transit supportive development. Alternatively, the excess right of way may be retained by the City as buffer if needed.
Fiscal Note
Funding: Proceeds from the exchange will be deposited in the CATS Capital Investment Plan.
Attachments
Attachment(s)
Map
Resolution
Budget Ordinance