The Gold Line Construction Authority announced Friday that it has settled several lawsuits through a $24 million agreement to acquire land for the coming Foothill Extension from a local property owner who had repeatedly sued the transporation agency.
The deal allows the GLCA to move forward with the Foothill Extension, giving the agency control of more than 50 percent of the land it needs for a Monrovia maintenance yard project critical to the extension's progress.
Local property owner George Brokate of Excalibur Property Holdings in an effort to prevent his land on Evergreen Avenue from being condemned for the project. The GLCA initiated eminent domain proceedings against him, but those will no longer be necessary because of the agreement.
Doug Tessitor, chairman of the GLCA Board, said in a written statement that the deal was needed to avoid further litgation.
"Over the last year, Excalibur has instigated a series of lawsuits against the Construction Authority and continued to threaten more,“ Tessitor wrote. "Although we feel confident that we would have prevailed on the legal issues over time, the delay caused by the legal process and the uncertainties related to continuing through eminent domain were very risky, making this settlement the best decision for the Authority and our partner Metro."
Robert Silverstein, an attorney for Brokate, could not immediately be reached for comment.
