Dakota County seeks to use eminent domain to buy land for park
“Dakota County is in District Court seeking approval to use eminent domain to buy four private properties overlooking the Mississippi River near Hastings.
The county wants to open the rare riverfront property to the public by making it part of Spring Lake Park Reserve. It says it must have control of the land by March 31 or risk losing $3 million in federal funds for trail construction.
Court proceedings are set to reconvene in Hastings on March 11.
Every seat in the courtroom was taken Feb. 19 when First District Judge Timothy McManus convened the case. Many of those attending wore large buttons opposing eminent domain — which is government purchase of land against the wishes of the landowners.
At issue is whether the county has a legitimate public purpose for the property it wants. If the judge rules in the county’s favor, the next issue would be how much it must pay for the properties.”
Blake, Laurie. Star Tribune 1 March 2014.