rod Wrote:
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> The discussion of the visitor center and now Roger
> Hogan’s post of another Commission give away has
> me wondering who is really looking out for the
> C&TS RR best interests. Apparently in August 2004
> the Commission entered into an agreement giving
> one of the most prime parcels in downtown Chama to
> the town for a park (#3 parcel). This site was
> designated in 1994 for future ticket office/other
> use and what could possibly have been used for the
> RR visitor Center (it may not have been adequate
> for this use anyway but I am assuming this option
> was not even available to the Friends RRVC task
> committee once it was converted to park use). It
> is also my understanding the town has usurped
> Commission property between the river and the
> Friends new south Chama parcel for use as holding
> ponds for storm runoff. And now the town is asking
> for land at the south parking lot exit?
>
> Can someone please tell me exactly how much the RR
> has or will be compensated for all this real
> estate the town is using? Gee, and reading the
> Commission minutes the RGRPC is even required to
> clean the clock park for the town…(hey Dick Cowles
> are you reading this?). Now to add salt to the
> wounds of the RGRPC legacy I see that the Friends
> have had to write off over $17,000 in debt never
> repaid by RGRPC. Considering that some of this
> money came directly from Friends members
> underwriting the RGRPC and keeping the RR
> operating not so many years ago, where is the
> Commission now when it comes time to do the right
> thing. It was the RGRPC and Friends that had
> bailed the Commission out time and again. Maybe
> getting the master plan done for the entire RR and
> not just Colorado would be a good place for the
> new Commissioners to put some energy into. Then at
> least we would have something to hold them
> accountable to when they want to give away the
> next piece of the RR.
>
> Rod Jensen
Rod I think if my memory is correct you need to go back and do your homework.
"Apparently in August 2004
> the Commission entered into an agreement giving
> one of the most prime parcels in downtown Chama to
> the town for a park (#3 parcel)."
My answers are from memory
I don't think the commission gave the Village the land but they agreed to a joint use of it with the village. The Friends in fact did the picnic tables so they also helped. The railroad received something like 9 truckloads of extra pavement, A rebuilt entrance exit on the North side and rebuilt road to the South entrance and a new ramp or steps from Terrace ave. If my memory is correct the railroad still owns the property. The size of the property really does not allow you much area to work with and the new center wouldn't fit there. I looked at the property when I bought the hotel and just not enough available footage with the set backs and parking requirements to build a place large enough to get a return on your investment IMHO.
"It is also my understanding the town has usurped Commission property between the river and the Friends new south Chama parcel for use as holding ponds for storm runoff."
I think the request for the holding pond area was from the State Of New Mexico not from the Village. What was the railroad to do turn down the state request when they were relying on the state to keep them running.
"And now the town is asking for land at the south parking lot exit?"
My understanding is the town has used this property and maintained it since before the railroad was purchased and in fact everybody including the railroad thought the town owned it. The village is willing to buy it, lease it and or trade for it. My impression from the commissioners is they figured a lease was best.
