KHOU-11 has the first look at what the University Line DEIS report says and it’s not pretty:
For 30 years, Francisco Valle has owned one block in Richmond, but now new rail could be coming.
That could affect all four of Valle’s properties.
In fact, he says three of them could be taken in full, “That is what they always emphasized in every meeting. Not to worry about it. It is not going to effect anything. It will only be a few feet from the front. That’s all it’s gonna take.”
In all 13 homes and about one dozen businesses would be lost on the Richmond option.
About 24 homes and one dozen businesses would be lost on the Westpark option and another 10 to 14 homes, depending on the alignment, of the University of Houston section of the line.
Take the area around Richmond and Montrose as an example.
In either option the buildings between Roseland and Stanford are affected.
About four buildings would be completely taken and five more partially affected.
Other buildings also affected as the line continues down Richmond.
If the Westpark option is chosen, the impact turns with the line adding all of the buildings on the west side of Montrose to those completely taken.
Oh, and:
There is a 45 day comment period which ends September 17.
Comment can also be made in person at any of the three public hearings scheduled.
Right. The only comments that will matter to Metro are the ones are in favor of its preferred alignment. Will the CTC stand up for property owners? Don’t hold your breath!
Just remember, when a government agency takes private property for mass transit, that’s good. When a government agency takes private property for expanding highways, that’s bad.
And all this for a boondoggle that will do nothing to reduce congestion. But a rail line down the middle of a street should add to it!
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