Yelm City Council Authorizes Eminent Domain
“Yelm City Council on Tuesday authorized the use of eminent domain to acquire three parcels of property needed to complete its Mosman Avenue realignment project.
The owner of the property has disputed the offer the city made to him and expressed his intent to dispute it in court.
According to a public notice released by the city before the meeting, the property acquisition is necessary “for the purpose of improving the intersection of Mosman Avenue and First Street S.,” as well as for trail improvements and “associated public improvements within the city.”
The three properties are located at 401 First St. S.E.; 403 First St. S.E.; and 405 First St. S.E. in Yelm.
According to a staff report from project manager Stephanie Ray, the city has made a “substantial investment of resource in both time and money” to design and fund improvements associated with the Mosman Avenue project.
The city received more than $1 million in transportation grant funds from the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board in 2011 for the realignment project. The city invested $500,000 in match funds toward the project.”
Wybie, Steven. Nisqually Valley News 12 September 2013.