The Gainesville City Council on Tuesday voted to approve the purchase of a nearly 3.5-acre abandoned east-west railroad spur owned by CSX Transportation Inc. that will eventually expand the Midland Greenway.
City officials said the tract which runs east between Grove Street and Athens Street will be redeveloped into a multi-use recreational trail that would connect pedestrians from Engine 209 Park to Butler Park and DeSota Park.
“Purchasing the abandoned CSX East-West Spur is an exciting opportunity!” Housing & Special Projects Manager Jessica Tullar said. “Not only will the City be able to transform an unsightly property into a recreational amenity, but it also will expand the Highlands to Islands Trail to the Athens Street neighborhood and thereby connect that neighborhood to our Midland and Engine 209 parks, plus other amenities along the Midland Greenway.”
Transforming the abandoned railroad right-of-way has the potential to spur private investment in the southern part of Midland and the Athens Street corridor Tullar added.
Officials said construction could begin as early as late 2024 and wrap up in late 2026 or early 2027.
