BNSF Railway Co. is proposing to develop a $10 million automotive unloading facility here. 

The site would be used for unloading automobiles from trains and loading them onto trucks to be hauled to dealerships.

Gus Melonas, Seattle-based spokesman for BNSF’s Northwest territory, says the project is being considered as a way to enhance efficiency at the railway’s yard at 4510 E. Wisconsin. The facility’s planned location is a couple of blocks southeast of the Trent Avenue-Havana Street intersection. 

“Conceptual plans are still under review,” says Melonas. “Right now, we’re still considering all our options.” 

According to the project’s predevelopment application, work will include track construction, general site grading and excavation, asphalt paving, infiltration ditch, and drywell construction. Plans also include construction of a 12-foot-by-60-foot prefabricated building.

A conceptual layout shows the facility taking up 29 acres and including total parking for 1,424 vehicles plus 34 haul-away trucks, in two long parking lots partly bordering new sections of railroad track. As envisioned, an east lot, between Havana and Freya streets, would include parking spaces for 749 vehicles and 19 haul-away trucks, and a west lot, stretching west of Freya, would include parking spaces for 675 vehicles, and 15 haul-away trucks. The facility also would provide parking for 24 employee vehicles.

Nebraska-based HDR Engineering Inc. is listed as the agent-applicant for the project.