Landowner: City should negotiate Columbia Regional Airport eminent-domain petition
“obert White has seen his family’s farmland shrink as Columbia Regional Airport export has expanded.
White’s father reluctantly sold part of his property to the city of Columbia when the airport was built in the 1960s. Now, White will have to sell 5.4 acres of his 55-acre plot because the city filed an eminent-domain petition May 15. The land is slated for a runway expansion project.
An eminent-domain petition allows cities or states to take private property for public use as long as the owner is compensated for that property.
“I personally would prefer not to do that, but that’s something we need to expand the airport to accommodate the needs of folk in the area that are using the airport,” Airport Advisory Board Chairman Greg Cecil said.
The city needs a total of 58 acres to lengthen the airport’s main runway, create a clear zone for incoming and departing aircraft and realign Rangeline Road and Route H.
James Phillips, the owner of the other 52 acres, already reached an agreement in principle with the city, said Steven Sapp, the Columbia Public Works Department’s public information specialist.”
Sirtori, Daniela. The Missourian 30 May 2014.