Picketers take RTD to task

RTD employee called protesters ‘freaks’ at meeting; FasTracks coordinator agrees .Brenda Crespin stood outside the Regional Transportation District’s offices in downtown Denver on Dec. 18, holding a sign that read: “Stop the abuse of eminent domain.”The group also attended the meeting and spoke during public comment, much to the chagrin of two RTD officials sitting in the audience.Liz Rao, assistant general manager of planning and development who is heading up FasTracks, expressed her displeasure with the group by sighing and agreeing with a fellow RTD employee who said, “Great, all the freaks.”Director Wally Pulliam broke from that sentiment in his reply to the picketers, saying he wants to openly communicate with them. He gathered the contact information for the umbrella group that organized the picketing, the Colorado Property Rights Coalition, and planned to personally meet with them to create understanding.”We’re taking property we need, but we need positive cooperation with all property owners,” Pulliam said, explaining the property is not for development. “We’ll take what we need for transit purposes only.”Crespin and her husband are likely to lose their business, BJ’s Used Jeep and Eagle Parts at 1195 Benton St. The only access to their 18-year-old business is an easement the couple has paid a dollar to use every year since establishing in Lakewood.The access was across the old trolley tracks, but now that is the same path the West Corridor Light Rail will run. Buildings on both the east and west block access from those points, and a creek closes them in from the south. The income from the business supports Brenda and her husband, as well as her son and his wife.”Without the income from that business, we can’t pay the mortgage on our two houses,” Crespin said. “The tracks are the only access to our property. It’s our only source of income.”Crespin said she and her husband are being forced to pay the costs of having to tear down their homes and properties by Jan. 25 to make room for the impending West Corridor light rail. RTD sent the Crespins two letters in July, telling them they had to clear all of their property, tear down the buildings and disassemble and properly dispose of fencing at their own expense.When Crespin spoke to the directors, she states a case the board had heard before.”Give us fair and just compensation for the property and any remaining inventory we have,” Crespin said. “All we are asking is for RTD to be honest with us and all the people along the line and give us all just compensation.”Crespin said Lakewood officials offered to let them build a bridge over the creek, but they also would have to build a road through Lakewood’s towers into the property, beautify it and insert a bike path.Crespin has tried to find other property, but the least expensive she could find would cost $750,000 with no building on it. She would have to move the business out of Lakewood to find a place with enough space for the used parts.If agreements are not reached by set deadlines that vary depending on construction timetables, the property owners may end up going to court to protect their properties or face condemnation.View publication link.