Temple — The City Council on Oct. 16 authorized the use of eminent domain to acquire a 3.0161‑acre fee interest and two temporary construction easements (0.4092 acres and 0.1716 acres) from 4202 Twin City LLC to construct a segment of the Outer Loop West project where the new roadway will pass over the railroad and connect to I‑35.

City staff described the parcel (address 4202 Twin City Boulevard) as critical to the Outer Loop West alignment and the planned elevated railroad crossing. Staff said the owner received the city’s offers and declined to negotiate or submit a counteroffer, and that the owner’s counsel indicated they would proceed directly to special commissioners. "The owner has declined to accept or counter our offer ... acquisition by agreement appears unlikely at this time," a staff member said.

Staff summarized the condemnation process and cited statutory steps: if council approves eminent-domain authority, the city will file a condemnation petition in the county court at law; the court will appoint three special commissioners to determine just compensation, and the city may deposit the commissioners' award to obtain possession while compensation disputes continue in court. Staff estimated just-compensation costs currently at about $1.3 million for this parcel and associated easements.

Council motioned and voted 4–0 to authorize condemnation under Chapter 2206 of the Texas Government Code (condemnation for public projects) and to allocate funds necessary for just compensation as determined by the special commissioners.

Staff warned the condemnation valuation process can take up to nine months if focused on value and noted that the city may proceed with possession after depositing the award in court while any valuation challenges continue. The city will continue title and acquisition steps under the condemnation process to maintain the Outer Loop West project schedule.