“And now they want to put a big retaining wall, you'll have to come in like this and walk sideways to get into the entry,” said Rick Forestiere, the owner and keeper of the gardens.
His uncle built the underground gardens in the early 1900s. The Family spoke to the High Speed Rail Commission at Wednesday’s meeting to review the findings of the Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
“The direct findings in your EIR inaccurately state there would be no adverse impact or effect to the gardens,” said Valery Forestiere.
The Union Pacific Rail is just a couple of blocks away and most of the proposed routes would use it.
“This is construction that was done 100 years ago, hand done by my great uncle. and there is no study that can tell you how those vibrations will travel,” said Valery. She adds, there’s no proof the historically protected gardens won’t be damaged.
The overpass that’ll be built could mean losing several feet of the property. “At our doorstep is the rise of the overpass, so that when you step out our gate or the gate you came in cars are starting to go uphill into the overpass,” said Valery.
The Forestiere’s say no one from the Rail Commission has talked to them and they received only one letter.
“A week and a half ago was the first time we ever heard them announce a final, we didn't know there was an interim or must've been a preliminary,” said Rick.
The owners of the