Our goal is to understand if and how ATP wishes to build light rail with the Montopolis-Riverside community, not through it. To establish a clear and accurate record of the facts before moving forward, we request the following documentation and answers. Our questions and concerns include, but are not limited to, the following:
We respectfully request that ATP confirm whether or not the following exists and whether or not it has been made public:
A community vote or public input process for the proposed Montopolis station and rail, and its results.
A map of all sites in the Montopolis area currently at risk of eminent domain for this project.
A map of the proposed station of the proposed Montopolis station specifically at JD’s property.
A map or list of properties that will be used for temporary construction staging purposes during the construction of the proposed Montopolis station.
The full construction timeline of the proposed Montopolis station.
An economic impact study for the area surrounding the Montopolis station and rail.
An environmental impact study for the area surrounding the Montopolis station and rail.
A safety study of the potential increased risks associated with rail lines and stations in high foot and car traffic areas.
Documentation showing Austin Energy was asked to relocate its infrastructure and declined, including who requested it, when, and Austin Energy's stated reasoning.
Demographic, income, and land-ownership data used by ATP before finalizing the route going through Montopolis.
A mitigation plan to address the displacement of residential and commercial landowners in the Montopolis area affected by the construction of the proposed station.
We respectfully request a copy of the following information, if it exists:
The full record of the community vote or public input process ATP claims justified placing the stop at this location including the actual turnout. and was it representative of Montopolis residents versus outside stakeholders?
The full construction timeline of the proposed Montopolis station.
A map of the proposed station of the proposed Montopolis station specifically at JD’s property.
A map or list of properties that will be used for temporary construction staging purposes during the construction of the proposed Montopolis station.
A map of all sites in the Montopolis area currently at risk of eminent domain for this project.
An economic impact study for the area surrounding the Montopolis station and rail.
An environmental impact study for the area surrounding the Montopolis station and rail.
A safety study of the potential increased risks associated with rail lines and stations in high foot and car traffic areas.
Documentation showing Austin Energy was asked to relocate its infrastructure and declined, including who requested it, when, and Austin Energy's stated reasoning.
Demographic, income, and land-ownership data used by ATP before finalizing the route going through Montopolis.
A mitigation plan to address the displacement of residential and commercial landowners in the Montopolis area affected by the construction of the proposed station.
We respectfully request that ATP provide an answer or comment on the following questions:
What specific criteria determined that this station location, rather than an alternative site, required taking JD's gas station through eminent domain?
Who at ATP made the final call on this site, and what alternatives were formally considered and rejected? Request the internal analysis or memo, if one exists.
Does ATP speak on behalf of the City of Austin and Austin Energy, or is each working as separate entities? What would lead one department to say it will follow the other's lead?
Was the community vote or public input process ATP claims justified placing the Montopolis-Riverside on land owned by Mr. Amhad representative of Montopolis residents versus outside stakeholders?
Has ATP calculated the economic impact on JD's, lost revenue, i.e. potential job losses among the employees, and will it be held accountable for those losses?
What contingency or compensation plan exists for JD's during the access-restricted period, given that EBT customers per day rely on this store?
Has ATP accounted for the concentration of Hispanic and minority landowners along this corridor and the impact of eminent domain on this minority community?
Was there any consideration of rerouting to avoid disproportionately impacting minority-owned land and businesses? If not, why not?
Is there an increased safety risk to the community members who rely on JD's market and will now have to cross active rail lines in order to access groceries? If so, what is ATP's response to this issue?
Is attracting redevelopers to sites along the rail corridor and its stops a goal of this project? If so, when did that become part of the plan, and how does it square with the project's original stated purpose of serving existing residents rather than incentivizing new development?
Has ATP or any affiliated body discussed rezoning or land-use changes near this stop with private developers?
Residents in and around the majority-Hispanic Montopolis-Riverside area, an endangered enclave, are concerned that construction of the rail line and its proposed stations (including the proposed Montopolis station) will accelerate gentrification of the residences and businesses in the immediate area. Will the development of this rail line through the Montopolis-Riverside area further Austin's infamous ranking as one of the most economically segregated cities in America by fueling gentrification?
We look forward to your response.