With Billion-Dollar Blue Line on Fast Track, Property Owners Look for Path to a Fair Deal
“Backed by a $580 million dollar check from the federal government, the state has fast tracked its plans for the $1.2 billion dollar light rail extension known as the Blue Line.
Property and business owners in the project’s massive 9.3 mile path who wonder how they’ll be compensated for their loss of property will get answers at an informational meeting on April 18th, at the Hilton Charlotte University Place.
The Blue Line could affect over 170 residences, businesses, and institutions resulting in partial or total losses of their property. Some business owners are already facing losses while preparing for their eventual closing or relocation. The Charlotte Observer recently interviewed bakery owner Dominica Clementi who commented that the expansion is “costing the bakery hundreds of thousands of dollars, both in investments it made in renovating the current space and in revenue lost while the bakery is closed in January.” “
NC Eminent Domain, SAC Bee 2 April 2013.