Couple vows to fight RTD over light rail, eminent domain
“For the last 23 years, Galen Foster and his wife, Kim Snyder, have been building their dream at the corner of 14th Avenue and Wadsworth. It’s their home and business, but now it’s slated for demolition. “Even the city council people say we are Lakewood, we are a landmark,” said Snyder.
She says they’ve been working for years to revitalize their area. The couple says they often clean up the roadways and neighboring properties. They’ve rescued dogs before being euthanized. And they’ve been running one of the most successful window-tinting businesses in Colorado, Pro-Tint Windows, which also sells art – mostly totem poles.
But on September 28, RTD sent them a notice of intent that property will be purchased to make room for the development of the 12-mile west corridor of the light rail under the $4.7 billion FasTracks project.
“I have 90 days to get an appraisal and figure out what I’m gonna do with the rest of my life after being here 23 years,” said Snyder. In the immediate future, they have figured out what they’re going to do – fight.
“We’re not anti-light rail. We’re not anti-eminent domain,” said Snyder. “We’re not anti-any of that stuff. We’re anti-abuse and misuse.””
Garcia, Nelson. 9news 12 October 2007.