Maryland may be paying more for some properties in the main path of the Purple Line, state officials said, because one transit agency lacks purchasing leverage, and extended negotiations would cause costly delays.
Comptroller Peter Franchot in early February expressed concerns that the state is overpaying for properties it needs to make way for the new light rail.
“In our enthusiasm and support for the Purple Line we’re getting put over a barrel by some of these landowners. And we are having to pay a lot more than the appraised values,” Franchot said at a Feb. 7 Board of Public Works meeting.
At that meeting, the board unanimously approved $5.3 million for part of a Silver Spring apartment complex — $1.5 million over the state’s original appraised value.
Click here to read the rest of the story written by Katherine Brzozowski over at Maryland Reporter