RTD appears ready to offer a compromise that would allow it to build a $200 million rail maintenance facility in the north metro area and leave a nearby Owens Corning shingle plant intact.
In recent months, the Regional Transportation District told Owens Corning officials that the transit agency might have to acquire the shingle plant for the rail maintenance operation — an option that would have forced the company to relocate or close the factory.
RTD planners briefed the agency’s board of directors in closed session Tuesday night on a new proposal that would have RTD acquire some of Owens Corning’s storage yard for future FasTracks rail service but not require taking over the factory itself.
Owens Corning plant manager Bill Shockley, who has warned that a shutdown would cost the area more than 100 jobs, said local company officials will have to forward RTD’s proposal to the firm’s headquarters for assessment.
