Sacramento city officials weigh in on eminent domain for arena
“The Sacramento City Council approved an agreement Tuesday night to help with negotiations to acquire a parcel of land at the Downtown Plaza that is crucial to building the new arena.
The city would get reimbursed by the Sacramento Kings ownership group for any costs.
Council members Kevin McCarty and Darrell Fong voted against the agreement to assist Sacramento Basketball Holdings, but declined KCRA 3’s requests for an interview.
But does the agreement pave the way for the city to use eminent domain to acquire the land?
Councilman Allen Warren explained when he felt seizing private land for public use would be appropriate.
“If (the building owners) are unreasonable … I think we really have to look at what’s the city’s best interest. The city of Sacramento has the authority in the event that we need to do it, but ultimately, I think this will be resolved between the development team and the ownership group,” Warren said.”
KCRA 13 August 2013.