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September 17, 2007
University cleared to use eminent domain for arena
The Oregon Daily Emerald
Wow, it's like if you combined the Columbia University land grab with the Bruce Ratner arena land grab! It even has a former bakery on the site... go figure:
The University [of Oregon] is one step closer to beginning construction on the new basketball arena.
At the State Board of Higher Education meeting Friday, Sept. 7, the Board granted the University a resolution of necessity: permission to utilize eminent domain laws in order to obtain three properties on which, along with the Williams' Bakery site, the University hopes to build an arena to replace 80-year-old McArthur Court. Thus far, the University has been unable to come to voluntary sale agreements with the property owners, and should it fail to do so it may use condemnation to purchase the properties on behalf of public interest.
The Board also granted a resolution of necessity to the University in 2004 to purchase the Williams' Bakery site, although the University ultimately did not use condemnation. The site sold for approximately $22.2 million.
As usual, eminent domain, like torture, will only be used "as a last resort:"
General Council Melinda Grier said the University does not wish to resort to condemnation, and will do so only as a last resort.
Posted by lumi at September 17, 2007 11:02 AM