Council authorizes eminent domain
“The Cookeville City Council has authorized using eminent domain, if necessary, for upcoming property and right of way acquisitions for the Bennett Road extention project.
The next step in the project is to complete right of way and property acquisition of 39 tracts to keep pace with a sister project, Tennessee Department of Transportation’s fifth interchange at Mine Lick Creek Road, according to Melinda Keifer, city economic development coordinator.
She said the city hopes to start bidding construction in December, which parallels TDOT’s timeline.
Last Thursday, the council authorized City Manager Jim Shipley to acquire property by negotiation, or eminent domain if needed.
“By authorizing the city manager to do this, it expedites the project work,” Keifer said. “There are 39 tracts involved in this project, and it allows us to move it at an expeditious pace, which allows to keep on track with the interchange…a critical part of our funding and ability to move forward.””
Stovall, Brittany. Herald Citizen 19 January 2014.