Those who are familiar with Richmond history know that before 1900, Richmond was essentially a cattle ranch. Two things happened about the same time that made Richmond a city. Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe (ATSF) established Richmond as its western transcontinental terminus, with Ferry Point as the water link to the prestigious final destination of San Francisco. the second was the establishment of an oil refinery that is today Chevron Texaco.

Today, a little over a century later, only one building remains of the original ATSF (now Santa Fe Burlington Northern - BNSF) original rail yard complex. It was originally known as the Santa Fe Reading Room, apparently a sort of an upscale lounge for employees. Later it became the "Trainmasters Office" and was part of the Santa Fe Depot in Richmond, now demolished.

The City of Richmond has both an opportunity and an obligation to save this historic structure. As a part of the Richmond Parkway construction, the City has a contractual obligation with BNSF to move it out of the rail yards. The current concept is to move it south to Point Richmond in a vacant lot north of the Plunge and across Richmond Avenue. Acquisition of the site will be paid for by Caltrans as a part of the Richmond Parkway fund. The Richmond Redevelopment Agency will package resale of the parcel, including required rehabilitation of the historic building and solicit developers.

A resolution to move this project forward is on the City Council agenda for May 20, 2003. - Tom Butt

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA AUTHORIZING INITIATION OF ACTIONS TO ACQUIRE PARCEL FOR RELOCATION OF TRAINMASTER BUILDING

WHEREAS, the City of Richmond has a contractual obligation with BNSF to relocate the “Trainmaster Building” (originally the Santa Fe Employees Reading Room), currently located east of the west leg of the Richmond parkway, and

WHEREAS, the building, constructed during the period 1900-1904, is the last surviving building associated with the development of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad in Richmond and has historic significance making it potentially eligible for the California Register of Historic Resources, and

WHEREAS, the City has an obligation under CEQA to recognize and mitigate potential damage to historic resources, and Caltrans has acknowledged this by committing to Larry Loder in 2001 to allow the use of Parkway funds for the purchase of the site currently owned by BNSF north of Richmond Avenue, east of Garrard Avenue and west of Railroad Avenue, approximately 0.85 acre) for relocation of the building, and

WHEREAS, in a letter dated June 14, 2001, BNSF indicated an interest in selling (“BNSF will look favorably on the City’s request to purchase this property to relocate the Train Master Building”) the property to the City of Richmond, and

WHEREAS, BNSF has subsequently refused to cooperate further in the proposed purchase, according to BNSF spokesperson, because of the City’s intransigence in facilitating access through Chevron property on the east side of the west leg of the Richmond Parkway and the City’s support of the preservation of the wigwags, and

WHEREAS, on January 23, 2001, staff recommended “Approve proceeding with the acquisition of the triangular parcel in Point Richmond for the relocate site of the Trainmaster’s Building as part of the Garrard Boulevard widening project, Richmond Parkway,” and

WHEREAS, in a letter dated May 18, 1998, Catellus offered to sell the property to the City of Richmond for $300,000, and in a letter dated May 21, 1998, the City of Richmond offered to purchase the property for $296,208 ($8.00 per square foot).

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the following steps be taken:

1. Offer BNSF $296,208 for the subject parcel.
2. If BNSF refuses to sell, obtain an appraisal of the subject property and offer BNSF the fair market price.
3. If BNSF continues to refuse to sell, initiate condemnation proceedings and coordinate with Caltrans to pay the cost from Parkway funds with ownership to go to the Richmond Redevelopment Agency.
4. When the acquisition is complete, the Richmond Redevelopment Agency shall solicit developers through an RFP process for a use of the parcel that will include moving and rehabilitating the Trainmaster Building.

I certify that the foregoing Resolution was passed and adopted by the Members of the City Council of the City of Richmond at a regular meeting held on _________________by the following vote:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSTENTIONS:

ABSENT:

________________________
Clerk of the City of Richmond

Approved:
_________________________
Mayor

Approved as to form:

_________________________
City Attorney