Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Condemnation Property Acquisition topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Evansville board authorizes condemnation process for parcel tied to Indiana Crosspoint roundabout
Summary
The Board of Public Works approved a request from the city engineer to begin condemnation proceedings for Parcel 1 on the northwest corner of the Indiana Crosspoint Roundabout project after the property owner failed to respond to repeated outreach.
The City of Evansville Board of Public Works on July 17 authorized the city engineer to begin the condemnation process for Parcel 1 of the Indiana Crosspoint Roundabout, a northwest property at the project intersection, after the property owner was repeatedly nonresponsive to acquisition outreach.
The city engineer told the board the owner had not responded to the city’s communications and that the city had allowed extra time in the contract to try to avoid condemnation. The engineer said staff had offered “almost three times the normal amount of time to be responsive,” but the owner continued to delay by saying they had not heard back from a tenant.
A city staff member described the typical timeline and consequences for condemnation: the city is generally able to take possession early after filing if it deposits the court-ordered appraisal funds, while litigation over damages or final value can continue separately. That staff member said, “We’ll get the property relatively quickly and you’ll be able to get on with your project,” and explained that trials to determine damages can last much longer.
Board members discussed the timing and whether the condemnation would delay the roundabout project. The city engineer said the project is out for bid but the acquisition delay had been inserted into contract language; condemnation typically takes “anywhere from 4 to 6 months,” depending on the property owner’s cooperation. The engineer said the city had held off requesting condemnation approval for about two months hoping the issue would resolve.
A motion to begin condemnation proceedings was moved, seconded and approved by the board. The chair recorded the motion as approved.
The board’s action allows the city to proceed with acquiring the parcel in the short term by depositing appraisal funds with the court and to continue project work while the courts resolve any dispute over final compensation.
The board then returned to other business and completed its meeting.
