Council to weigh eminent domain tonight
“Long-standing negotiations with the Carr Revocable Trust to purchase the property for the development of a multimodal transit center on Taylor Street hit a wall in late April. With millions in federal funds promised for development, and plans that have been on the drawing board for a decade, the city plans to determine whether it can take the property by eminent domain.
To do so, Montpelier must prove it is necessary to take the property for development, and the city must make a reasonable offer for compensation to the owner.
“This is a quasi-judicial hearing,” said City Manager William Fraser. “There are essentially two things we’ll be discussing: Is there a public necessity for this project, and, if so, what are the appropriate damages?””
Hanson, Gayle. Times Argus 5 June 2013.