Opening the Floodgates
“The Kelo decision opened the floodgates of abuse, spurring local governments to press forward with more than 117 projects involving the use of eminent domain for private development. Since the decision was handed down, local governments threatened eminent domain or condemned at least 5,783 homes, businesses, churches, and other properties so that they could be transferred to another private party.
…the Court’s rationale would operate as a one- way ratchet, allowing condemnation to clear out poorer residents and smaller businesses in favor of wealthier ones….Of the 117 projects, nearly half involved taking lower-income homes, apartments and mobile home parks to construct upscale condominiums or other upscale residences and new retail development. Cities across America are working hard to drive out the working poor. And if the cities can’t drive them out completely, they try to contain them in centrally-planned buildings of city-approved design, located in city-designated areas.”
Berliner, Dana. The Castle Coalition, June 2006.