Santa Fe Asking Too Much for Land

In February, 1991, after five months of discussion and study, the San Fernando City Council approved a site and partial funding for a commuter rail station to serve residents of the city and the northeast San Fernando Valley. The Santa Clarita-to-Los Angeles commuter rail system would allow residents of San Fernando to commute between Los Angeles and the surrounding communities without having to drive, helping with congestion relief and better air quality.

Santa Fe is asking more than $1.3 billion for 240 miles of rights of way, almost equivalent to the stock market value of the entire company, yet the properties under negotiation represent only 2% of Santa Fe’s total route miles.

In October, 1990, the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission conducted similar negotiations with Southern Pacific for the purchase of 180 miles of rights of way. Southern Pacific bargained hard but realistically. The rights of way were purchased for $450 million, or about $1.4 million per mile. Santa Fe is asking $5.3 million per mile for comparable rights of way.

The city of San Fernando feels that the LACTC should be allowed to close a deal at a reasonable price without excessive costs borne by taxpayers’ dollars. If an agreement cannot be reached, the future of commuter and light rail will be severely crippled and the line connecting Santa Clarita to Los Angeles will not have access to Union Station as the rail terminus, depriving passengers of a one-step connection to the Metro Rail system.

DOUDE WYSBEEK

Wysbeek is mayor of San Fernando