City Council favors using eminent domain for Stateway Plaza connector road
“City Council members all agreed Tuesday night that the city should use eminent domain if the owners of Stateway Plaza do not agree to terms for selling land that would be used for a connector road through the strip mall.
During Tuesday’s meeting, Mayor Jeffrey E. Graham and the members of the Watertown City Council informally agreed that the connector road — to be called Western Boulevard — is important for developing the adjacent City Center Plaza to accommodate a national big-box chain.
For months, the city has been negotiating behind the scenes with plaza owners Ben Wygodny and Martin Wenger, both of Montreal, to acquire the land. But, so far, they have not budged, city officials said.
On Tuesday, Mr. Graham said the plaza owners may not have much incentive.
“I think we should push the matter and acquire what we have to acquire,” Mr. Graham said.
Developer Patrick M. Donegan has said he has interest from a potential “big” tenant for City Center Plaza, which also includes a series of hotels, restaurants and retail shops he owns off Arsenal Street adjacent to Stateway Plaza.”
Fox, Craig. Watertown Daily News 19 February 2014.