Scott City, Union Pacific finalizing deal

Scott City is close to finalizing a deal with Union Pacific to purchase a parcel of land on Main Street where a city-owned historic caboose currently sits.

The lot is across from the Scott City VFW hall and is used as a parking lot for area businesses, a church and the VFW and as a hang-out spot for local teenagers.

"It's not a done deal yet, but we'll be happy if we get it closed," said Scott City Mayor Tim Porch, adding that he hopes the deal will close within 60 days.

Negotiations over the purchase date back over a year, with Scott City officials sometimes expressing frustration over the slow pace of the process. The city wishes to purchase the land so it no longer will have to pay a lease that is currently $1,500 per year, but goes up three percent every year. The city has been under the lease since the late 1960s, said City Administrator Ron Eskew.