Come and see the Cargill rail yard’s path of destruction

Recently, the city and corporations listened to residents who opposed a KWIK Star at First Avenue and 19th Street NE. They also listened to concerns of residents regarding plans for the former Transamerica site. The city listened to neighbors opposed to a roundabout near Washington High School and to neighbors opposed to locating the Northwest Recreation Center in Ellis Park or Cleveland Park.

Yet the city and Cargill refused to listen to the concerns of residents and users of the nature corridor who opposed to a 200-car rail storage and switching operation in a residential neighborhood, on a prairie pollinator zone adjacent to the Prairie Park Fishery. Despite ongoing litigation, a prairie pollinator zone, funded with a REAP grant and the Monarch Research Project, was destroyed and numerous trees were taken down, beginning on Arbor Day.

The only neighborhood along the river that will not have flood protection is being given the gift of a rail yard because the nation's largest private company indicates they cannot be competitive without it. Seriously?

Please take a walk in the Prairie Park Fishery and look over at the destruction of the prairie and see what is being plunked there now. Drive on Otis Road or Cole Street SE and take in a view of the rail yard construction in a residential neighborhood.

We ask that the construction of this rail yard be halted and we ask that you join us and raise your voices against this injustice.

Barbara Stary

Cedar Rapids