City unwisely abuses ‘blight,’ eminent domain
“An enhanced enterprise zone, or “blight,” is a powerful legal instrument that can revitalize an area. Used wisely, it can help restore a downtrodden industrial plant or a shuttered shopping mall. The Columbia City Council…
Residents’ fears of eminent domain are justified
“Local economic development interests, working primarily through the Regional Economic Development Inc. (REDI), have asked the Columbia City Council to pass ordinances setting up an enhanced enterprise zone (EEZ) in Columbia. The rationale is to…
Denver Tofu sells shop to RTD
“One of the final business owners dealing with eminent domain along RTD’s new rail line to Denver International Airport is closing shop. Haru Yamamoto, 73, has sold his Denver Tofu business at 38th and Blake…
RTD eminent domain ends nearly 40-year tofu career
“Haru Yamamoto, 73, has sold his Denver Tofu business at 38th and Blake streets after nearly 40 years in business. “Yeah, I was just trying to continue,” said the long-time business owner, who started his…
California Redevelopment Agencies Abused Their Powers & Should Never Return
“The California legislature recently dissolved the state’s redevelopment agencies, notoriously the nation’s worst abusers of eminent domain—when the government condemns perfectly fine properties not for public use, but for private development. California should stand firm…
TOD Study: Olde Town Arvada Case Study
Slide show presentation from Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute Annual Conference which outlines TOD process and rational for Olde Town Arvada. view the slide presentation RTD FasTracks City and Community of Arvada Arvarda Urban Renewal…
A big victory for restoring private property rights
“Property rights advocates across the country are cheering for the U.S. House of Representatives, which unanimously passed the Private Property Rights Protection Act on a voice vote Tuesday. The measure, sponsored by Rep. James Sensenbrenner,…
House takes aim at Supreme Court’s controversial ruling on property rights
“”All Americans should be able to trust that they have freedom from blatant governmental overreach. The federal government should not be able to utilize eminent domain to force private-to-private transfer of property. House Republicans are…
Colorado Legislative Update on Urban Renewal
“The 2012 Colorado General Assembly convened on January 11, 2012. Several hundred bills have been introduced so far, and drafts of not-yet-introduced bills are circulating. While other urban renewal bills may yet be introduced, the…
Griego: Can’t take the heat? Get out of the Sun
“Bobian chimes in, telling Mejia again that he’s flattered he came to Sun Valley since this is not a neighborhood with a lot of votes. Most of its residents are children. Bobian asks Mejia whether…