Bridge properties headed to court; Severson, AmericInn among owners who may face eminent domain
“Owners of some major commercial properties in the way of the new Winona interstate bridge may face eminent domain proceedings, as negotiations continue to wrap up the land acquisition for the project.
The properties, including the AmericInn and Severson gas station, need to be in the state’s hands by January to stay on schedule. So the Minnesota Department of Transportation has started the legal process to use eminent domain to take the land of owners it hasn’t yet reached agreement with, said Winona Bridge Project Manager Terry Ward.
Ward said some proceedings have been filed in Winona County District Court and others are expected next week. That doesn’t mean MnDOT won’t reach an agreement with the owners; eminent domain is one tool contractors of state or federal public-works projects can use as leverage for project determined to be in the public’s best interest. Under eminent domain, MnDOT would still pay owners what it believes is fair value for the properties if they can’t reach an agreement.”
Mitchell, Tesla. Winona Daily News 16 August 2014.