Kindelspire: How in the heck did we get here?
“Who else was surprised when we learned Thursday that Dillard’s and NewMark Merrill Mountain States couldn’t hash out a deal for Dillard’s to be a part of the redeveloped Twin Peaks Mall?
I sure was.
What didn’t surprise me was city staff recommending that the Longmont Urban Renewal Authority — the Longmont City Council wearing a different hat — move forward with eminent domain proceedings against the Little Rock, Ark.-based retailer.
City Council already has vowed that one retailer would not foil the planned $80 million redevelopment of the mall.
The condemnation of private property is a contentious issue. There are strong arguments on both sides. Should one retailer be allowed to hold up an $80 million redevelopment project critical to the city’s economic vitality? Or is eminent domain a step too far?”
Kindlespire, Tony. Longmont Times 7 April 2013.