City Using Eminent Domain to Tear Down Artist’s Home & Studio
“The Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority is attempting to condemn James E. Dupree’s studio and home in order to tear it down and put up a parking lot for the planned supermarket complex nearby. They seized the deed to the property last December, and though Mr. Dupree had hoped to come to an agreement with the city, he is now formally contesting the condemnation of his home.
The city offered Mr. Dupree less than 30% of the $2.2M value of his studio (as appraised by a real estate agent.) The city also offered to pay $40,000 to compensate for the loss of all of Mr. Dupree’s work since the 70’s. He estimates that his studio has around 5,000 pieces of artwork inside it, and that it would cost about a quarter of a million dollars to have it moved.”
Webb, Molly. Philly Curbed 8 November 2013.