Hampton council authorizes possible condemnation for North Armstead Avenue resilience project

Hampton City Council on Sept. 24 approved a resolution authorizing the city to acquire, by negotiation or condemnation if necessary, temporary and permanent easements for the North Armstead Avenue Raising Resilience Project.

Deputy City Manager Bridal DeProfio told the council the section of North Armstead Avenue in front of the Home Depot frequently floods during storm events and that raising the roadway was identified in the city's Newmarket Creek resilience plan. The city said it has secured grant funding to advance the project and needs a temporary construction easement of 0.085 acres and a permanent drainage easement of 0.056 acres from a parcel identified as 1413 North Armstead Avenue (LRSN 7000124).

"It's a major artery, north-south in the city," DeProfio said of North Armstead Avenue. "A section of that, the section in front of Home Depot, floods during storm events. And it's been a long standing public safety issue. Raising the road to keep it from flooding was one of the projects identified in the city's resilience plan."

City staff said they have contacted the property owner, identified in the staff presentation as HD Development of Maryland (associated with Home Depot companies), and will continue negotiating for the needed easements. The resolution authorizes use of the city's condemnation authority under the Code of Virginia if negotiations do not produce an agreement.

Council approved the resolution unanimously. No speakers addressed the item during the public hearing. Staff said the action ensures the project can proceed with grant funding but that the city will continue to seek negotiated easements before exercising condemnation authority.