How will TrAILCo handle easement negotiations?
In June 2007, TrAILCo began sending real estate agents door-to-door to talk to property owners along the proposed TrAIL route in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Agents will begin property owner contacts in Virginia during the summer of 2007. The real estate agent will be the primary point of contact between property owners and the company throughout the negotiation of the option and easement agreements and construction of the project. The purpose of these initial face-to-face meetings is to provide landowners with information about the project and familiarize them with the timeline to acquire the right-of-way. Property owners and real estate agents may talk about the best way to conduct visits to the property, including any special concerns. For instance, they may make provisions for future visits, such as property access, gate usage, etc. Negotiations to purchase easements would likely occur on subsequent visits after the value of the property is determined. TrAILCo’s intent is to est