Council approves plat and relocation order for Business Campus multiuse trail; eminent domain described as process, not first step

The Common Council approved an infrastructure resolution (file 25-0518) to accept a plat and relocation order establishing a multiuse trail extending from 70 Second Avenue to 80 Fourth Avenue in the Business Campus.

Alder Gary Rasmussen said the trail aims to reduce conflicts between pedestrians and heavy truck traffic and to provide safe connections for employees and adjacent neighborhoods. The extension would continue an existing two-year-old trail westward behind businesses along International Drive.

Alder Gisleman asked why the relocation order included the phrase “shall be acquired by eminent domain if necessary” and whether the city could instead rely solely on purchases or easements. A city staff member explained that eminent domain is the statutory process the city initiates to identify needed interests (temporary easements, permanent easements, or fee acquisitions), that the process begins with appraisals and negotiated offers, and that purchases accepted by owners would come back to the finance committee and council for final approval.

Staff said the project is DOT-funded in part, which requires following that acquisition process, and that building along other possible routes would have required expensive boardwalks over wetlands. Alder Rasmussen and others said if widespread opposition emerges the finance committee could halt the project and staff would seek alternatives.

The council voted to approve the relocation order and plat unanimously.