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Public commenters urge oversight of CapMetro and oppose eminent domain for proposed 2530 Guadalupe taking
Summary
Two speakers used public comment to raise sharply different issues: one alleged discrimination and operational abuse by CapMetro staff and urged independent oversight; the other, Edwin Bautista, urged ATP to reconsider eminent domain to acquire 2530 Guadalupe St., saying the taking harms West Campus’s walkable businesses.
Two members of the public spoke during the meeting’s public-comment period, raising concerns the board said it would note.
Carlos Leon accused CapMetro staff of discriminatory and retaliatory treatment, saying he filed complaints with APD’s Special Investigations Unit and the Office of Police Oversight and that video evidence exists to support his claims. He urged the board not to allow CapMetro to "secure or manage your light rail project" if red-flag operational and legal problems are not addressed in the July project update. Leon said parts of the CapMetro service-suspension policy were misapplied and should be reviewed; he said his formal complaint to oversight is pending and that the Department of Justice has been notified of his allegations.
Edwin Bautista, a resident of District 7, spoke in favor of Project Connect generally but urged the board to reconsider a pending acquisition of 2530 Guadalupe St. by eminent domain to extend West Dean/Keaton to San Antonio. "Eminent domain is an extraordinary power," Bautista said, and he argued that taking property to widen vehicle capacity would undermine the walkable, student-centered character of West Campus. He asked board members to visit the intersection when classes resume and see pedestrian activity firsthand before approving land-taking for roadway capacity that, he argued, runs counter to Project Connect’s goals.
Chair thanked both speakers and indicated staff will continue to advance the project’s public engagement and design work. No board action was taken to change project plans based on these comments during the meeting; the board’s formal business moved to staff reports and action items.
