Condemnation suit goes to State Supreme Court
A condemnation case in Seattle, WA is headed to the state supreme court.
In order to resolve a condemnation case which questioned whether the city’s motives for property acquisition are indeed for public interest and not for private developers, the state supreme court has agreed to hear the issue on direct appeal.
The city of Seattle started the condemnation process in August with the intent of acquiring most of the block at Mercer Street and Terry Avenue North.
The city plans to widen and establish two-way traffic on the street between Fairview and Dexter Avenues North for which the purchase is required. The project is supposed to fix traffic on Mercer Street, serve as the north entry and exit way to a proposed tunnel between stadiums and Queen Anne Hill and stimulate growth as South Lake Union develops.
“This is an engine of economic growth that benefits the entire state,” said Alex Fryer, a spokesman for Mayor Greg Nickels. “This road is critical to it.”
Property owners have fought the condemnation suit arguing that the project is not meant for public use since the funding for it is supposed to be raised by private money and details aren’t being revealed by the city officials.
“There’s a real question when you have private money (involved),” said attorney Catherine Clark. “You should be disclosing what the terms and conditions are so we know this is a public project and not a private one in disguise.”
The city denies that this is the case.