No contact between City, Queensgate since June

A motion by Councilmembers Bortz and Monzel to end negotiations with Queensgate Terminals has had its desired effect as talks between the two parties have broken down.

In Febraury 2007, a court case was settled that required the City to purchase 30 acres of riverfront property in Lower Price Hill for $5 million and to negotiate a lease with Queensgate for its use as a multi-modal shipping facility.

The City continued through June to encourage Queensgate to work with the City and concerned neighbors to secure an agreeable lease, but has not had any contact with them since.

In early August, Bortz and Monzel recommended that the City not negotiate the lease, and instead explore developing the land as a public park or housing.

Councilmember John Cranley had submitted a similar motion in March, which died in committee.

Still unsettled is if the City will have to pay legal damages and fees of $1 million or more for its failure to negotiate the lease, or how the City will pay to maintain the vacant property.

Previous reading on BC:
Bortz offers newest motion to stop Queensgate Terminals (8/9/07)
City against riverside intermodal terminal, faces legal penalties (6/15/07)