City to demolish Holland’s South Street home
“The property at 58 South St. has been vacant since Holland’s arrest. It has been vandalized and has deteriorated over time, according to city officials.
“This is long overdue,” said Ward 5 Councilor Bob Mills, who represents the ward in which the property is located. The building, he said, “has been a monument of tension and violence for five years.
City Manager John Bubier said the public purpose of the acquisition is to improve access to the nearby William’s Court Park.
The city has already acquired the adjacent property at 56 South St. It purchased the property from the former owner Janice Appel. The plan is to tear down that building as well for park access.
The only point to be determined before the city can take ownership is the value of the property, said Bubier. If the parties can’t settle on a mutually agreeable price, he said, the Maine Land Damages Board would step in.
The property has been appraised at $30,000, said city attorney Keith Jacques.
However, the property owners could dispute that amount and have another appraisal done.”
Mendros, Dina. Journal Tribune 19 September 2012.
Biddeford council OKs eminent domain buy for Holland home – YouTube