City will not use eminent domain to redevelop property around light rail stations
“Over the past several weeks, there has been a lot of confusion about whether the City plans on using eminent domain to force the sale of private property around the light rail station areas for redevelopment. Some individuals have said that the City is planning on buying up property to build multi-family housing. Others have claimed that the City has already issued “eviction notices” to some property owners around the 145th Street station subarea. Neither of these are true.
Redevelopment of the station areas will be determined entirely by private property owners and private developers responding to market forces. If no property owners in the subareas want to sell their property, no redevelopment will occur. If a private property owner wishes to sell his or her property and a private developer wishes to purchase it for redevelopment, then redevelopment of that property could occur. However, the City will not be using its eminent domain authority to purchase property around light rail stations for redevelopment. All redevelopment in the station areas will be market driven by private parties.”
Shoreline News 27 September 2014.