Cortland County legislators and leaders from the Lime Hollow Nature Center are talking about preserving 2.7 miles of a former railroad in a way that would benefit users of Lime Hollow – and county residents.
Officials of both groups discussed a potential long-term lease Tuesday, and several other options, about the future of the right-of-way of the former Lehigh Valley Railroad in Cortland County. The former railway traverses the nature center between the Tompkins County line to the west, and the Lamont Circle subdivision to the east. Tompkins does not continue the trail on its land.
While about 2.7 miles of right-of-way are involved, the land is only about 60 feet wide, said Ilya Shmulenson, Lime Hollow’s executive director.
Legislators on the Buildings and Grounds Committee discussed leasing the land on which the railroad sat to the nature center, conveying ownership to the center or even selling the land to the highest bidder. Committee Chair Paul Heider (R-Cuyler, Solon, Truxton) indicated it’s likely that members would discuss the issue further in January.
The county has owned the space since 1977, when the Lehigh Valley rail line – built in 1872 by Ezra Cornell to connect Cortland to Ithaca – was abandoned. Lime Hollow Nature Center took over maintenance of much of the trail years ago, grading it and maintaining it.
Ownership of the former line could affect how much state grant money might be available to the nature center, if it retained ownership of the railway bed, Shmulenson told the committee.
“A conveyance would benefit Lime Hollow the most,” he said, but added, “There’s obviously the question of cost.”
He also said little evidence remains that the land had ever been a railroad. Rails and ties have been removed, leaving flat land on which people walk on the 594-acre Lime Hollow recreation, education and conservation site, often with their dogs.
Jeri DuVall, chief assistant county attorney, said Cortland County could grant a lease of up to 99 years if legislators and the lessor agreed to the length. There was not, however, any discussion of how much the county would expect to be paid.
Two legislators said they supported the idea of the nature center remaining involved with the site. “I could support this,” said Ronald VanDee (D-Cortland).
Several other legislators, however, said they have concerns about the future of the site.
“I don’t see why we want to just hold something,” said Legislature Chair Kevin Fitch (R-Homer, Preble, Scott). He said it would not be a good idea for the county to retain liability simply because it owns the property.
A concern was mentioned that a mining company might be interested in bidding on the land. DuVall, however, said the county could opt to restrict bidding so a mining operation could not become the next owner.
