Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Eminent domain and the Lake Worth Park of Commerce

The Post's Kevin D. Thompson has this article that appears in the print edition, page B3, today (6/24). Here are two excerpts:
     The city can begin acquiring nine key parcels through eminent domain — land officials say the city needs to widen and make infrastructure improvements along Boutwell Road.
     Under eminent domain, governments have the right to take private property for public use with some form of compensation to the owner. In this case, the city wants to improve the road, which is the entrance to Park of Commerce, a 375-acre site and connector between I-95 and Lake Worth Road.
[and. . .]
     Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell said many residents are under the impression the project will only benefit private interests.
     “That’s a falsehood,” he said. “Upgrading that road is no different than building a road in front of my house,” he said. “We’re not benefiting private businesses any more than we’re benefiting private homes.”
     He also noted how the project could create up to 5,000 jobs.
     “Eminent domain is a really dirty, really ugly phrase,” Maxwell said. “But that process is in place for situations when the public good is at stake. In some respects, this is a game-changer.”
The Lake Worth Park of Commerce is nothing new. One of these days will post some images from the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council Citizens' Master Plan from October 6th, 2001.