Union Pacific Throws Wrench In Fremont's Plans For Former NUMMI Plant
FREMONT (KCBS) - Fremont city leaders said they intended to meet with Union Pacific this week to talk about that company's purchase of land around the former NUMMI auto plant.
The purchase has Fremont's mayor up in arms.
KCBS' Chris Filippi Reports:
Fremont had been hoping the land around the plant could be converted into a green technology jobs corridor.
"What is a railroad yard going to bring?" pondered Fremont mayor Bob Wasserman. "It's not going to bring clean industry, we know that from experience."
Railroads are exempt from Fremont' land-use authority.
"But we're looking into that," Wasserman asserted. "You know, we're looking at what we can do about zoning or land use."
Fremont had been awarded a federal grant to determine how best to develop the land around NUMMI. That area includes the 160 acres just purchased by Union Pacific.
"We're talking about a major piece of property that's extremely valuable," said Wasserman."
Last year, Tesla Motors purchased more than 200 acres at the NUMMI site to open a plant to produce electric vehicles.
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