Norwood Uses Eminent Domain To Take Properties

WCPO.com ^ | 9/23/03 10:49:28 PM | 9News / Stacy Puzo

[areeves79]

Norwood City Council decided Tuesday to take nine different properties by using eminent domain. The declaration from Norwood council means the homes and businesses near Edwards Road will be taken for a new development.

All but nine homes and business owners have agreed to sell to a developer who is planning on a $125 million expansion of Rookwood Commons mall.

Earlier Tuesday, those nine home and business owners filed a suit, refusing to sell saying their neighborhood isn't blighted.

The neighbors still holding-out are asking a judge to step in and stop the city from going any further.

[areeves79]

Now before you judge Norwood too much, let me say that I live there and I think they did what was best for the city.

[Sloth]

I was going to say something about violating property rights, but obviously if you feel it's for the best, that trumps any petty rights other people may have.

[B Knotts]

What does Dingell have to say about all this?

[ctlpdad]

Only by the WCPO can we tell this is east of the Mississippi, and your profile that it's in Ohio. Thanks for the great info.

So you beleive it's OK for a city government to take peoples homes for developement by a private entity?

[Conservababe]

Cat got your tongue? I would love to see your reasons why businesses can take property at will, with your blessings.

[Bikers4Bush]

Doesn't matter what you think. What matters is that these peoples private property rights are being infringed.

[TonyWojo]

I think they did what was best for the city.

Hitler did what he thought was best for the world. I'll bet Stalin did what he thought was best for Russia, and Fidel thought he did what was best for Cuba..........

[TonyWojo]

PING

[ctlpdad]

I don't think this is near your home, but it's a property rights thing. that's one of your deals, right?

[areeves79]

Please just ignore my opinion, because that is simply all it is. Like I said I live in Norwood and therefore my opinion is bias. Most people in the city feel the same way as I do, even the people that live in the area discussed.

80% of the people that live in that area signed up to sell right away and they are the same ones that fought hard for the use of eminent domain. Yes and there were also some that fought against it too, but not as many as you would think.

I wish I could find all the the other stories linked to this, if I do find more I will post them.

[Conservababe]

There shouldn't even be a situation for the property owners to ask for eminent domain. This is reserved for public neccessities, not private developers who do not want to pay the fair price for property.

I wonder if it will be your property next, and how much you will howl that WalMart wants your home.

[Protagoras]

Now before you judge Norwood too much, let me say that I live there and I think they did what was best for the city.

If I took all your money it would be the best for me.

If I took all Bill Gates money and gave it to Norwood it would be the best for the city.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Ahhh...Norwood and Cincinnati. Brings back many fond memories of my old home town.

I used to live over in Brentwood. We spent many a beautiful Summer day in Winton Woods up in the Forest Park area. Playing baseball, swimming and washing down the grilled brats with a bottle of Vernor's Ginger Ale. Those were the days.

[Protagoras]

Like I said I live in Norwood 1820 Virginia and therefore my opinion is bias. Most people slaveholders in the city feel the same way as I do, even the people slave holders that live in the area discussed.

Mr. Fixit at your service.

[areeves79]

Oh the private developer paid a fair price, everyone that signed up for the sell to begin with got atleast twice what their property was worth. These last nine were greedy and wanted way too much. For example, this marketing design company wanted one million for this little two bedroom house that they used as an office, needless to say it wasn't apraised that high.

Also if I get offered what these people did, I will sign up in a heartbeat to sell and I wouldn't care who the developer was. Don't mistake me as someone who is tied to my home.

[Durus]

If someone doesn't want to sell then there is no such thing as a fair price.

[Wallace T.]

I am a strong supporter of local government as opposed to dicates from the state capital or Washington. However, local governments can be, in their own small way, as abusive as their bigger brothers. We had an incident of a similar nature a few years ago in Hurst, Texas (suburb of Fort Worth), where eminent domain was used to seize homes in order to facilitate the expansion of Northeast Mall. If the power of eminent domain is to be used, it must be restricted to its original common law intent: public necessity or the common good. Society cannot function without roads, railways, utility lines, etc. It can function without one more "big box" store or larger mall.

[Baby Bear]

I have been over in that area and it is not that damn bad compared to other areas of that city. Norwood is still smarting from not being able to name the area after themselves because of nearby Hyde Park.

I am so glad I moved!!

[1Old Pro]

I have friends who live in Norwood. My college roommate was from Norwood. Hope it all works for the best.

[1Old Pro]

Most people in the city feel the same way as I do

Most people agreed with slavery, most people agree to infringing the rights of smokers........We have to respect the law or we have anarchy. Property rights are of the highest importance in a free society.