Condo owners worry city could take homes for waterfront project
“Condo owners along the Seattle waterfront are worried about letters from the city, saying it could use eminent domain to take their properties for work on the city’s waterfront project.
“They’re panicked!” Maureen Miller, president of Waterfront Landings’ Owners Association, said.
The letter states that the Seattle City Council is expected to authorize the Seattle Department of Transportation to acquire property, “through negotiation or the use of eminent domain (condemnation), if necessary.” About 400 people, some retirees, live at Waterfront Landings.
“If we have the threat of condemnation hanging over our heads as unit owners — am I going to be able to sell my unit to someone? Is the bank going to finance my unit?” Miller asked.
Angela Brady, an SDOT manager for the waterfront project, said the language, while scary, is required by law in cases like these. She said during construction, the city needs the ability to use or access 142 properties, most of them temporarily. It plans to acquire one building that currently houses a law office, the surrounding parking lot and parts of five parcels of land.”
Sheldon, Linzi. KIROTV 28 April 2014.