SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Officials have signed a $27.3 million agreement that transfers about 10 acres of rail yard in downtown Sioux Falls to the city amid hopes for redevelopment.

The Argus Leader reports the agreement was signed Monday by Mayor Mike Huether and BNSF Railway executive Roger Nober at a public ceremony at the rail yard. The deal was announced last month.

Heuther has said negotiations for the city to buy the land from BNSF were in the works for more than a decade. The agreement uses mostly federal funding that was secured by South Dakota's delegation in 2005.

A majority of the rail yard will be removed. U.S. Sen John Thune said at the ceremony that the deal would lead to millions of dollars in downtown development.

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