Phoenixville School Board moves to acquire Meadow Brook Golf Club through eminent domain
“With a majority of board members feeling they were out of options for a site for a new school building, the Phoenixville Area School Board voted Thursday to acquire Meadow Brook Golf Club through eminent domain.
“I’m basically opposed to eminent domain. I don’t think it’s right for a government agency to take one’s home or business,” said school board member Betsy Ruch. “That being said, since Meadow Brook is a willing seller, had approached us and since their firm asking price is more than twice what it is worth, and since we have a responsibility to the taxpayer to get their money’s worth, I think we’ll have to go to eminent domain. I think we’ve reached the end of our rope.”
The board voted 7-2 in favor of proceeding with acquiring the site through eminent domain. Joshua Gould and Dan Cushing voted against it.
In eminent domain, a government agency can obtain a property through the courts for public use while paying a fair market value for it.”
Otto, Frank. Mercury News 15 November 2013.