Norfolk eminent domain battle may finally reach end
“The conflict dates to 1998, when the City Council approved the Hampton Boulevard Redevelopment Project to help ODU expand eastward. The area marked for redevelopment stretches from 38th to 48th streets, between Hampton Boulevard and Killam Avenue.
Because the land would not be used strictly for educational purposes, ODU hired the housing authority to take the properties. State law at the time allowed redevelopment authorities to use eminent domain for economic development purposes as long as a majority of the plots in a designated area were deemed to be blighted.
Since the plan was approved, the housing authority has condemned and acquired more than 160 properties near ODU. Parcel by parcel, it turned them over to the school’s real estate foundation, which paid the authority, compensated the landowners and allowed developers to build. The area is now home to ODU’s Ted Constant Convocation Center, the University Village development, apartments, parking garages, an ODU research park, and stores and restaurants that cater to students.”
Reilly, Connie. Hampton Roads 16 June 2013.