BASALT — — The Basalt Town Council voted 7-0 Tuesday night to grant first-round approval to a new park-and-ride lot and a bus station, but several members made it clear that they have significant questions for Roaring Fork Transportation Authority officials before a second, required reading.
RFTA wants to expand the existing park-and-ride lot on the south side of Highway 82 at the main Basalt intersection as part of its bus rapid transit expansion. It also will replace the two small bus shelters on either side of the highway with larger, enclosed stations that are more comfortable and welcoming. The expansion essentially will double the land for a parking lot in that location and add 123 parking spaces.
Some of the land needed for the parking lot was taken from Myers & Co. Architectural Metals in a condemnation action by RFTA and the Basalt town government. Bob Myers, owner of the company, said it cost him $60,000 in legal fees to get to mediation with RFTA. He didn’t offer details, but he said he learned that one needs to get into writing everything that RFTA officials pledge verbally before a deal is struck.
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