Advertisement City begins buying property along Central Avenue for ART Business owners upset Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Businesses against a new rapid transit project in Albuquerque are now being forced to give up parts of their property.The city is enacting "eminent domain," which means stores and restaurants won't have a choice.The ART project is supposed to stretch from Unser to Louisiana along the city's main road.Greg Pacheco owns El Charrito restaurant, which is right in the middle of the project.Pacheco said someone from the city showed up at the restaurant three months ago."We knew what was going to happen," said Pacheco, about the impending public works project.An appraisal done by the city of Albuquerque showed the changes to his sign and part of his parking lot could cost around $29,000. Pacheco said Thursday he believes the construction will adversely affect his customers."It's going to probably impact our business," he said.But what shocked Pacheco this week was a letter from the city attorney, telling him he has until July 5 to take the money or possibly be taken to court over the property in question."I felt devastated and angry," Pacheco said. "I felt threatened."Attorney David Rosales represents El Charritos."It's not enough," said Rosales, about the $29,000 the city is offering.He also said he's not convinced the ART project is solid, partly because the city has not given the restaurant a timetable for construction."If it's not, what about all those people whose property has been taken? And whose livelihood has been compromised," Rosales said.The city of Albuquerque said it's just trying to work ahead even though it's still not clear if or when federal funding for ART might be approved.Gilbert Montano serves as Mayor Richard Berry's chief of staff. He said crews want to be able to go as soon as they get the thumbs up.Montano also pointed out that not every property along Central is being touched."Only 19 parcels among hundreds of parcels, along Central will be affected," Montano said. "These large transportation projects often eat into portions of the right of way."Montano said out of those 19 properties, only two owners have received letters like the one Pacheco got from the city attorney.