RTD light-rail officials are told where they can get off

Property owner lets fly at meeting on RTD seizures
By Kevin Flynn, Rocky Mountain News
Originally published 12:30 a.m., December 5, 2007

An RTD session with property owners being bought out for the FasTracks West Corridor dissolved into vitriol Tuesday evening when one owner pounded on the table and said he would die before leaving his longtime home and business.

Galen Foster, owner of Pro Tint at Wadsworth Boulevard and 14th Avenue in Lakewood, was the first of three owners the Regional Transportation District board agreed to hear during a committee meeting on how the agency is using eminent domain to acquire properties for the light-rail project.

He was also the last.

Foster’s property is the selected site of a half-block 1,000-car parking garage to serve the Wads worth Station. But Lakewood and RTD have discussed other plans that would add retail, residential and commercial structures on the block.

One city rendering of the concept shows a five-story office building on Foster’s parcel rather than a transit garage. RTD is limited by law in what commercial facilities can be on its property. They can only serve transit riders and not the general customer base.

After asking unsuccessfully that security guards leave the room, Foster faced Cal Marsella, RTD general manager. “Can you promise everyone in this room right now that our corner will not be high-density housing with retail below?” he asked.

“Yes,” Marsella replied, but quickly added that the agency will seek proposals from developers to build the garage, and the result could be more parking, some retail and commercial space, as well as residential, if the legislature next session amends the law to allow it.

“It’s possible that could happen,” Marsella said.

That was all Foster needed to hear. Raising his voice and at one point pounding the table as he stood, his wife, Kim Snyder, seated behind him, Foster said he will never leave his property.

“I’m willing to fight for it and I’m willing to die for it,” he said. “We will become all of your worst nightmares.”

With voices rising and Foster tossing in a few profanities, board member Juanita Chacon gaveled him out of order and immediately called for a scheduled executive session to discuss the eminent domain cases.

“You’re all out of (expletive) order,” Foster said.

That left two property owners without getting their say.

One, Steve Fesch, spoke with Marsella later, and they agreed to discuss alternatives to taking Fesch’s entire property near Invesco Field.

The other, Dave Crespin, owns a Jeep parts business at 11th Avenue and Benton Street. The only current access to his property is by crossing the future tracks, and RTD served notice he won’t be permitted to cross as of Jan. 25.

Crespin said later he’s been unable to find another location or arrangement. He said RTD told him previously that it would assist him when the time came - but now won’t help, even though future plans show RTD may need to buy some of his property for a bike path alongside the tracks.

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Steve Fesch’s Response to the Article:
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That article just about sums up how the last RTD meeting went down. I would like to say that Mr. Galen Foster is not only losing his home he is losing his business! I can’t imagine losing both of those at the same time. I wish the best for Mr. Foster and hope that RTD is willing to work with them as it seems they are finally willing to work with me.

I’d like to thank Mayor Hickenlooper’s office for agreeing to set up a meeting with myself, RTD, and the Mayor’s staff to discuss alternative resolutions other than me being forced to sell my entire parcel. There are plenty of other options and I think FINALLY the system is working.

Since I got my letter of intent by RTD to purchase my land I’ve suggested dozens of ideas to where I could work with Denver, RTD, and my land to where it can be a WIN-WIN for all parties. I believe it can be achieved. It doesn’t have to be one-sided at all, but since Sept 24th, 2007 it has felt that way.

To all those who’ve stepped up with comments and support I can’t thank you enough. I believe it has helped.

I’d like to thank RTD in advance for giving me a chance to sit face and work this out. I think you’ll find that I’m a reasonable land owner/developer who can achieve the vision of what RTD needs and develop my corner with the vision of the TOD plans of Denver and RTD.

TOD is transit oriented development. TOD needs land owners like me with the expertise in development. Why turn my land over to someone else to develop when I’m capable of that myself? It only makes sense.

Denver has always been a Broncos town. This is Broncos Country and MY CORNER will reflect the great history of our town, team, and people.

My corner is Broncos Country. I look forward to meeting with RTD and members of the mayor’s office to work this little issue out. I’m ready to get to the table NOW!

—TAILGATE INFORMATION—

All are invited to attend the pig roast at my parking lot/property this Sunday. The festivities begin at 9:00am sharp! OrangeForceOne will be there, a 100lb pig will be there, a DJ will be there, and plenty of great Broncos fans so come join the fun!

Thanks,

Steve Fesch
Owner of 2750 W 14th Denver Colorado 80204

Go Broncos! Beat the Chiefs!