As a ‘last resort,’ urban renewal needs a shorter time limit
“FROM THE BOSTON Redevelopment Authority’s perspective, there’s no good reason why it shouldn’t keep its longstanding urban renewal powers in certain parts of Boston for another 10 years. The state-granted tools can yield significant public…
A voter revolt on urban renewal?
“Earlier this year, thanks to a citizen-led initiative, Littleton became the first Colorado city to require voter approval for common urban renewal procedures such as tax-increment financing (TIF) and eminent domain. Now Wheat Ridge could…
Communities lose more than they gain from TIFs
“Tax increment financing is sold by supporters as the closest thing to a free lunch mankind ever invented. We differ. Tax increment financing districts are downright dangerous. Anytime someone promises a free lunch, you should…
Editorial: Don’t use eminent domain for canal trails
“The Bend Park & Recreation District should not seize private property to complete its trail system along canals in southeast Bend. It may never come to using eminent domain to take the property, but the…
Editorial presents distorted view of eminent domain
“The Register’s editorial, on Dec. 7 [“Some must forefit land for utilities”], contending that some must forfeit land for utilities, and referencing the Bakken pipeline, presents a distorted view of eminent domain. You acknowledge that…
Ultimate bully: Eminent domain
“If you’ve visited any of our public schools lately, you’ve likely noticed a very active campaign against “bullying.” But have you ever stopped to think about the biggest bully of all – our government(s)? And…
In our opinion: Caution is necessary when Utah transit projects engage in the practice of eminent domain
“The use of eminent domain to condemn and acquire private property in order to accommodate a necessary government function has been part of this country since its inception. The Constitution requires that landowners receive “just…
Editorial: Use of eminent domain must be justified
“n 2012, Winston-Salem used eminent domain to purchase from Harvey Davis the Union Station, a grand old structure built in 1926 that was slowly deteriorating, with the idea of eventually redeveloping it into a transportation…
EDITORIAL: Anti-eminent domain activists should help energy producers
“As activists battled a make-believe threat of eminent domain abuse in Colorado Springs, a real and active threat went seemingly unnoticed by the ever-vigilant defenders of property rights. If they’re looking for a fight, we…
A resurgence of eminent domain abuse
“The Supreme Court’s 2005 decision in Kelo v. City of New London, which allowed state and local governments to take private property and transfer it to other private owners to promote “economic development” generated a…