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Group threatens to pull money from T-REX
By By:Sonia Narang
The Joint Southeast Public Improvement Association, which originally planned to contribute $7.5 million to the T-REX project, has threatened to withdraw funding if the Regional Transportation District does not include requested amenities at light rail stations.
RTD officials said the lack of critical funding could lead to cutbacks, one of which is the possible elimination of the County Line Road station near Park Meadows mall.
Park Meadows Metro District is one of 15 members of the association.
"We are still trying to come to some agreement on local participation on the T-REX project," said Greg Kelly, metro district president. Kelly said that the association agreed to financially support RTD's $1.67 billion project if it agreed to add certain enhancements, such as pedestrian crossovers and underpasses to assist commuters. These improvements would also assist local businesses.
Kelly said the enhancement of most interest to metro district was an underpass under Interstate 25 at the County Line station.
"This underpass would allow people to access the light rail station and parking facilities without going through the Lincoln or County Line interchange," Kelly said.
The metro district had planned to contribute $228,000 every year for the next five years to the association for the light rail project.
"We thought we had a deal," Kelly said. But because of a tight budget, RTD recently decided to use JSPIA's money toward the base project and not for improvements. "RTD indicated that they could not guarantee our enhancements would be built," Kelly said. "We felt they were not complying with the memorandum of understanding."
The memo of understanding indicated that local contributions from the association, Greenwood Village, Denver, Arapahoe County, Douglas County, and Lone Tree would be used for the T-REX project.
Amy Ford, T-REX spokesperson, said "the memo of understanding said this money would be used for the base project. If the project came in under budget, we would consider improvements."
Ford said that Denver already has officially agreed to provide $15 million in funding to RTD. She said Lone Tree might contribute $250,000. Ford said RTD required local support from cities and counties to secure a $525 million federal grant.
RTD will look at possible cuts to the whole T-REX project if the association decides not to make a contribution. "The elimination of the County Line station was one of many different ideas that was brought up at the last RTD board meeting," Ford said.
"The list of refinements is pretty lengthy," Ford said. She said the requested improvements from the supporting entities "exceeds the amount of their commitments."
"Just because the money is available doesn't mean it can go towards refinements," she added. "We are still continuing negotiations with JSPIA. This is by no means resolved."
RTD officials said the lack of critical funding could lead to cutbacks, one of which is the possible elimination of the County Line Road station near Park Meadows mall.
Park Meadows Metro District is one of 15 members of the association.
"We are still trying to come to some agreement on local participation on the T-REX project," said Greg Kelly, metro district president. Kelly said that the association agreed to financially support RTD's $1.67 billion project if it agreed to add certain enhancements, such as pedestrian crossovers and underpasses to assist commuters. These improvements would also assist local businesses.
Kelly said the enhancement of most interest to metro district was an underpass under Interstate 25 at the County Line station.
"This underpass would allow people to access the light rail station and parking facilities without going through the Lincoln or County Line interchange," Kelly said.
The metro district had planned to contribute $228,000 every year for the next five years to the association for the light rail project.
"We thought we had a deal," Kelly said. But because of a tight budget, RTD recently decided to use JSPIA's money toward the base project and not for improvements. "RTD indicated that they could not guarantee our enhancements would be built," Kelly said. "We felt they were not complying with the memorandum of understanding."
The memo of understanding indicated that local contributions from the association, Greenwood Village, Denver, Arapahoe County, Douglas County, and Lone Tree would be used for the T-REX project.
Amy Ford, T-REX spokesperson, said "the memo of understanding said this money would be used for the base project. If the project came in under budget, we would consider improvements."
Ford said that Denver already has officially agreed to provide $15 million in funding to RTD. She said Lone Tree might contribute $250,000. Ford said RTD required local support from cities and counties to secure a $525 million federal grant.
RTD will look at possible cuts to the whole T-REX project if the association decides not to make a contribution. "The elimination of the County Line station was one of many different ideas that was brought up at the last RTD board meeting," Ford said.
"The list of refinements is pretty lengthy," Ford said. She said the requested improvements from the supporting entities "exceeds the amount of their commitments."
"Just because the money is available doesn't mean it can go towards refinements," she added. "We are still continuing negotiations with JSPIA. This is by no means resolved."
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