I’m running for RTD Board of Directors.

I’m officially announcing my candidacy of the RTD Board of Directors. I’m a Denver native who is fed up with budget problems and mismanagement of RTD. It just so happens I’m also a land owner being threatened with Eminent Domain at the Decatur light rail station.

 

The voters of approved the Fast Tracks project at a budget of $4.7 Billion Dollars. The debt is currently $6.1 Billion and it’s increasing dramatically. It’s time the RTD board of Directors accept responsibility of this. I also believe private property rights are being violated and there needs to be a change in policies. There is a better way of doing business and it starts with taking care of the landowners who will be affected by eminent domain. Eminent domain is a necessary process that will have to be exercised in order to complete FasTracks. It should not be used as a tool to further financial interests. It should only be used as a last resort and only for public purposes.

I also believe a financial audit is in order. The FasTracks budget deficit is out of control. The rise in materials costs is not an excuse to take people’s property away from them.   The way I see it the current RTD board and staff need to work together to get things back on track.

 

I have some innovative ideas instead of Eminent Domain.  For instance, if RTD needs a parking garage for transit purposes, they should first approach the landowners in cooperation. Land owners are capable of partnering developers and assisting RTD with Transit Oriented Development. RTDs current policy is to circumvent the land owners in the planning and they do not give landowners sufficient notice to adjust to such a major change. The Eminent Domain process should focus on taking care of the landowners who are being asked to make the ultimate sacrifice.

The land owners should benefit from any financial upside and eminent domain is only used as a last resort.  The FREE MARKET is very capable of getting development done.  It’s a win win approach. I believe there is a gap in communication between RTD and the landowners. I would like to bridge that gap and serve as a liaison to the landowners.  

 

RTD needs to step out of the development business and back INTO the transit business. If elected to the RTD Board of Directors, I believe that we can work to effect positive change within this organization.  

Feel free to contact me to share your ideas. I look forward to hearing from you as I unveil my platform in the coming weeks.

 

There is a board meeting March 18th at 5:30pm at 1600 Blake Street. I encourage you to attend. With greater participation from the public, we can effect positive change within this organization.

  

 

Steve Fesch

Aurora, Colorado