150 Property Owners Affected by U.S. 221 Widening in Ashe, Watauga; Pro Bono Seminar Feb. 20 West Jefferson
“The NCDOT’s $154 million project to widen US-221 between Deep Gap and Jefferson will result in the displacement of approximately 70 homes, 33 businesses, and two religious facilities, according to the NCDOT’s environmental assessment.
At least 150 property owners will be affected by this massive project, according to Jason Campbell, an attorney with the NC Eminent Domain Law Firm and former NCDOT attorney.
“Projects like this create a tough situation for many property owners. Owners will soon receive offers from the NCDOT and many may think these offers are unfair. And they may be right,” Campbell said.
According to Campbell, rather than accepting these initial offers, owners may want to exercise often-misunderstood rights, including the ability to negotiate for a “second check.” He and his colleague, Stan Abrams, another former NCDOT attorney, will explain these options at their seminar on the US 221 project on February 20th.”
High Country Press 6 February 2014.