Amtrak plans approved

McCOOK, Neb. -- Amtrak received city approval last night to make a variety of improvements to the train station on East A Street in downtown McCook.

The rail service plans to make ADA and parking lot upgrades, as well as storm water drainage improvements to the area which would require cutting into the pavement at the intersection of A Street and Norris Avenue. City Council unanimously approved, without comment, Amtrak's request to occupy city right-of-way for the project during Tuesday's regularly scheduled meeting.

"They plan to build a new inlet in their parking lot that is directly west of the depot and run a 15 inch storm sewer pipe north to the city's storm sewer that runs east and west along A Street. Amtrak will be responsible for all work," according to city staff in the meeting agenda.

The construction plans submitted to the city indicate Amtrak plans to construct an ADA compliant concrete walk and painted walk along the south edge of the station parking lot, in addition to painting existing parking spaces, making pavement and brick repairs and installing station identifier signs.

The request also included an opinion from Amtrak's legal department indicating the rail service is exempt from any state and/or local requirements to obtain building permits for work done on station properties.

Also during Tuesday's meeting, City Council entered executive session to discuss in private a legal dispute with a former McCook police dispatcher and officer. "An executive session may be held for the protection of the public interest for a strategy session with respect to litigation with Howard W. Brawdy," according to the agenda.

Brawdy was once a McCook police officer and in recent years worked as a dispatcher for the city police department.