Free Republic

CALIFORNIA CITY - Preparation is under way to begin construction on the long-proposed Hyundai Motor Co.-Kia Motor Corp. test track facility. Workers have been at the site for two weeks, making the biological surveys required before construction permits may be issued. This includes marking Joshua trees that may be removed and identifying any Mohave ground squirrel or desert tortoise habitats. Permits to allow the construction in light of possible habitats for those two species are expected any day, City Manager Jack Stewart said. Once the biological surveys are complete, construction work may begin, hopefully at the end of this week...

CALIFORNIA CITY - The city may use eminent domain proceedings to acquire land for a proposed Hyundai Motor Co.-Kia Motor Corp. test track facility, despite vocal protests by property owners. The decision was made at a special meeting Tuesday afternoon, when City Council members, sitting as the Redevelopment Agency, unanimously passed a resolution that would begin eminent domain proceedings to acquire the remaining property for the site. Of the 7 square miles of land needed by Hyundai-Kia, approximately 80% was owned by a railroad firm, which the company purchased last year. The rest of land consists of 211 lots; approximately...