COLUMBUS -- After nearly 100 years, a land lease “right of way” contract between Platte County and the Union Pacific Railroad may soon be ended as the Platte County Board of Supervisors works toward an agreement to purchase the right of way.
The right of way, a total of 13 acres, is a part of the old Lincoln Highway that runs parallel with the railroad tracks for nearly 2 miles northwest of Duncan.
The catalyst for the supervisors’ move to purchase the land was a 25-year contract renewal proposal by U.P. that included a one-time lease payment of $49,530 for the next 25 years.
The previous 25-year lease, dated July 17, 1984, cost the county just $2,330.
“It’s impossible to know exactly how long the county has been leasing this right of way from the railroad because that original documentation hasn’t been found,” said Platte County Highway Superintendent Fred Liss. “The road itself was established in 1871 under the name Jackson Road.”
Liss was instructed by the board in January to look into the matter and discuss the possibility of an annual lease payment for the right of way. Liss said the railroad was willing to lease the right of way at an annual cost of $4,502.45 per year with a 3 percent rider that would allow for a 3 percent increase per year through the term of the lease.
Liss said this information prompted the supervisors to instruct him to look deeper into the possible purchase of the right of way.
“Fred brought back the figure the railroad was looking at for an annual lease and that figure is much higher and had the 3 percent rider attached to it,” said Platte County Supervisor Tom Martens. “We weren’t happy with the original price of $49,530, and the annual rate is even less desirable. So, we’ve instructed Fred to pursue an option to purchase the right of way. When that information comes back we’ll have three options to choose from and will be able to pick the best route to go.”
Liss said he has since had contact with the railroad and has received a positive response so far.
“The railroad is now in the process of having the property appraisals done for what would be a 2-mile stretch about 40-feet wide,” Liss said. “The process could take another month or so if they come back with a price the supervisors like.”
Liss said the road is a township road, which also is a mail route that serves three or four families. He said in the course of his research into the matter he has learned there also are some state road right of ways that also are in this type of lease situation with the railroad.
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