State board approves Fresno eminent domain for high-speed rail
“Rail officials said they have been unable to reach an agreement with owner Frank Solomon Jr. after making an initial offer in May. Details of the offers have not been made public.
Solomon did not appear at the hearing. Previously, he could not be reached for comment by The Bee.
Don Grebe, director of real property for the rail authority, said the parcel has been pegged as critical to acquire early because of the complicated construction needed to be done there. He said the rail authority is still open to negotiations with the owner.
The action by the board allows the rail authority to file paperwork in court asking a judge to determine the fair-market value of the property as well as compensation the owner is entitled to for relocation.
The legal action also could allow the rail authority to access the property and start construction even before the state owns it.”
Williams, Juliet. Fresno Bee