Maryland Purple Line Moves Forward
The Maryland Transit Administration now recognizes that more properties will be taken than originally contemplated as part of the Purple Line. The problem is not simply one of providing notices to those being taken, but leaving the remainder of the owners within the corridor uncertain as to whether they also will be acquired by eminent domain. Further, those who receive notices maintain special obligations should they decide to sell their property even if they find someone who is willing to buy a parcel slated for future condemnation. The acquisition is a major project, and leaving those near the proposed route with the uncertain prospect will create havoc in the market along the proposed route.
But which homes, businesses and yards are being eyed for condemnation remains mostly unknown. MTA officials declined to release the information, saying it includes property value estimates that could become part of future negotiations. According to the state, construction won’t begin until 2015 at the earliest.
Kay said the list will remain in flux during the next year of preliminary engineering, while the route — and the properties it would affect — continues to be refined.
Publicizing a list before then "gets people concerned needlessly because it can change the next day," Kay said. "There’s nothing to hide here, but until it’s really a fixed list, we’re not going to go out and notify every one of those people."
Kay said the MTA has notified property owners whose land or buildings can’t be avoided. But homeowner groups and local officials along the route said they need more information.
