Rail Right of Way May Be Sold
Southern Pacific Transportation Co. has confirmed that it is negotiating to sell the former railroad right-of-way that runs for 14 blocks along Normandie Avenue in the Harbor Gateway area.
A spokesman for the San Francisco-based company, Gerald Pera, said the discussions began “very recently” and it is “much too early” to name the potential buyer or disclose a possible sale price.
The narrow strip of land runs from Torrance Avenue to 223rd Street and has been vacant since it was discontinued as a train route in 1982. Zoning would permit single-family housing, light manufacturing or commercial development.
Several residents say motorcyclists occasionally use the strip for a raceway, though Harbor Division police report that it receives few complaints about problems there.
Harbor Gateway community activist Rochelle Bollock said Wednesday that she plans to call a meeting of residents who will urge the city to buy the land for a park. Niki Tennant, aide to Councilwoman Joan Mike Flores, who represents the Harbor Gateway area, says the office has received no comments on the strip in at least 18 months.
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