DC to Use Eminent Domain for Ballpark

[M45510G1C]

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20051006-120902-5838r.htm

By Tim Lemke

THE WASHINGTON TIMES

October 6, 2005

The District will begin using eminent domain to acquire parcels of land at the site of the Washington Nationals' ballpark by the end of this month, after unsuccessful negotiations with nearly half of the landowners.

City officials said they expect to file court documents to take over at least some of the 21-acre site in the coming weeks and have $97 million set aside to buy the properties and help landowners relocate.

The city made offers to all 23 landowners on the site last month but received no response from 10.

"We think there are some that we'll have good-faith negotiations with," said Steve Green, director of development in the office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development. "There are some we haven't heard from at all."

Many property owners on the site said the city's offers are inadequate. Others are suing the city on the grounds that it has no right to use eminent domain to acquire land at the site, despite a Supreme Court ruling affirming the right of municipal governments to take private property for the purpose of economic development.

In April, the city notified property owners on the site that they would be required to move out by Dec. 31.

City officials said the District is on target to have title on all of the land by that date, but they don't expect to have full possession of the site until early next year, with construction on the $535 million stadium to begin in March. That would give the construction team, led by Clark Construction Group of Bethesda, about two years to build the ballpark in time for Opening Day of 2008.

Officials said that timetable remains realistic. Clark built the 80,000-seat FedEx Field, home of the Washington Redskins, in less time.

"Twenty-four months is not bad," Mr. Green said. "There's always the possibility of doing it in 22 or 23 months."

Meanwhile, the D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission has been sparring with the new Anacostia Waterfront Corp. (AWC) on the location of ballpark parking.

The AWC, which the city created to promote development along the Anacostia River waterfront, said it prefers an underground parking garage beneath 600,000 to 800,000 square feet of office and retail development.

The commission said that would run up too many costs and take too long to build.

Article continues at link.

[Matthitjah]

Grace to you,

It is absolutely frightening when the Gov't has the ability to take away one of our most basic rights as an American under this Constitution.

Peace,

Dave

[RGR]

It's Republicans bowing to special interest and corporate money and it's shameful. Our "man of the people" President should step up to the plate.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No, this has nothing to do with Bush. This is your liberal Supreme Court at work-all the more reason to elect conservative politicians!

[M45510G1C]

Actually our president has repeatedly failed to oppose use of eminent domain. In fact, while he was managing general partner of the Texas Rangers he conspired to use the government's power of eminent domain in order to seize property and build a new stadium.

[nebula]

Ummm . . . aren't the affairs of the DC government taken care of by the city (not federal) government?

[M45510G1C]

My point was that Bush is definitely no opponent to abuse of eminent domain, despite his pretty words to the contrary.

[yomotalking]

Why are we yet again having a go at Bush?

[Matthitjah]

Grace to you,

Frightnening yes. But the truth is you don't actually own the land. The U.S. Government owns the land. You just own a piece of paper.

It doesn't even belong to the U.S. either.

Ps

[RGR]

Katy,

I wasn't denying that it was Republican administrations that appointed the majority of our Supreme Court justices. So far, Bush has only appointed one Justice and we don't know yet how he will go!

[RGR]

Katy,

I wasn't denying that it was Republican administrations that appointed the majority of our Supreme Court justices.