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What’s The State Of Play For CSX In Central Florida?

Posted Jul 30, 2007 by Billy Townsend

Updated Jul 30, 2007 at 04:54 PM

For a layman like me, it sure seems like there’s a lot going on with the CSX-Winter Haven hub deal but not much happening.

Let’s list all the things we keep talking about that don’t exist yet:

1) A preliminary development agreement (PDA) between CSX and the state that would allow CSX to begin construction at the hub site before a development of regional impact review is complete. CSX, the state and regional planners are supposed to meet in August to hash this out, according to Brian Sodt, with the Central Florida Regional Planning Council.

Meanwhile CSX still hasn’t bought the land for the hub. Various sources have suggested an October closing date is likely.

Sodt speculated at a recent public meeting that the DRI review could take 9-10 months, which is a greatly accelerated time period over what’s been typical for Polk projects.

2) A final deal between the state and CSX detailing the $491 million rail realignment, which was announced last summer about this time amid much fanfare.  The Orlando Sentinel reported recently, without a source that I could see, that a final deal is expected by the end of July.

CSX claims it can’t do the commuter rail deal if the Winter Haven hub isn’t part of the realignment. If you believe that, it’s hard to see how the state’s deal with CSX can come before a resolution of the Winter Haven hub issue.

I’ve got a call into the state about this. We’ll see if someone responds.

3) A resolution of the lawsuit filed by neighbors to halt the CSX hub if it begins to happen.

4) A strong position from Gov. Charlie Crist on this entire rail proposal. Jeb Bush was one of its driving forces. Thus far, Crist has yet to really weigh in, though a spokeswoman earlier this year seemed to suggest he supported it.

That’s quite a few shoes left to drop. And while there’s no indication any of these deals are in any real jeopardy, they do continue to linger unconsummated. Something is keeping all of this from falling into place in the manner envisioned a year or more ago. Of course, that could change tomorrow.

In the meantime, those of you who follow this closely should read this. It provides a glimpse of just how important CSX considers this hub project and lays out a kind of grand strategy for the future of east coast rail in the United States.