jonnhrr wrote: ↑Wed Jul 31, 2019 10:15 am
Safetee wrote: ↑Mon Jul 29, 2019 6:39 pm
i'm guessing that the steaming tender could be purchased and rehabbed for a lot less than the far far uglier springfield station.
Good luck persuading the owners to move their railroad themed restaurant elsewhere after they spent a ton of money rehabbing the place.
If they refuse to sell at a reasonable price Amtrak can acquire it by exercise of its federal eminent domain authority. The applicable statute reads as follows:
"(a)General Authority.—
(1) To the extent financial resources are available, Amtrak may acquire by eminent domain under subsection (b) of this section interests in property—
(A) necessary for intercity rail passenger transportation, except property of a rail carrier, a State, a political subdivision of a State, or a governmental authority; or
(B) requested by the Secretary of Transportation in carrying out the Secretary’s duty to design and build an intermodal transportation terminal at Union Station in the District of Columbia if the Secretary assures Amtrak that the Secretary will reimburse Amtrak.
(2)Amtrak may exercise the power of eminent domain only if it cannot—
(A) acquire the interest in the property by contract; or
(B) agree with the owner on the purchase price for the interest."