NCDOT to Take Property from Dozens of Downtown Fayetteville Businesses and Landowners in $36 Million Rowan St. Bridge Project
“The contact will likely begin sometime soon, if it hasn’t already. Businesses, homeowners and other landowners across the Rowan Street area near the railroad overpass in Fayetteville will get letters in the mail. Bad news. They’ll say that the state of North Carolina – via the NCDOT – is buying their property. There’s no choice; it’s happening.
It’s called eminent domain. A more descriptive word: condemnation. Hearing that word can be intimidating. Many property owners feel powerless, unless they know their rights.
“The state essentially tells affected property owners: here we come – and off you go,” attorney Stan Abrams said. “In the name of progress. And many don’t know what to do.”
Abrams and attorney Jason Campbell know the system from the inside. They both spent years working in eminent domain for the state of North Carolina, but now work for the NC Eminent Domain Law Firm, representing property owners. Those property owners often need legal help soon after that letter comes in order to try to strengthen their position – to see if they can and should receive more money than what the state initially offers. The firm has brought its valuable experience to public forums around the state.”
PRWire 21 March 2014.