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Evansville utility board votes to seek condemnation to acquire Willow Creek lift station easement
Summary
At its April 29 meeting the Evansville Water and Sewer Utility Board voted to file an eminent-domain (condemnation) action to obtain a 0.04-acre easement needed for rehabilitation of the Willow Creek lift station after the property owner corporation was found dissolved and no heirs responded to published notice.
The Evansville Water and Sewer Utility Board voted April 29 to begin condemnation proceedings to acquire a permanent easement for Parcel No. 1 of the Willow Creek lift station project (U1147).
Board members approved a staff recommendation to pursue an eminent-domain action after staff said efforts to identify and contact private owners failed. The parcel, described in the meeting as approximately 1,700 square feet (about 0.04 acres) near 9059 Strou Vendrick's Road on Evansville's west side, is intended to allow planned rehabilitation work at the Willow Creek lift station.
Staff told the board the underlying business entity that held title had been administratively dissolved and the two known officers are deceased. Utility staff said they published a uniform offer in the Evansville Courier & Press on Feb. 7 and Feb. 14, 2025 and received no response. Because no owner came forward, staff recommended filing a condemnation (eminent-domain) action and serving the defunct corporation by certified mail, then serving the Indiana Secretary of State if personal service cannot be completed.
Staff outlined the expected process and timeline: court-appointed appraisers would value the easement (staff cited a $600 valuation discussed in the packet), the utility would pay the appraised amount into court, and the easement would then be recorded. Staff estimated the process would likely take about three to four months from the initiation of service and appraisal steps. A board member asked whether the utility could place a lien to recover costs if the property were later sold; staff said the utility would secure only the easement and that money paid into court would likely, if unclaimed, eventually be turned over to the Indiana attorney general's unclaimed property process.
The board motion to move forward with condemnation for Parcel No. 1 (Willow Creek lift station project U1147) passed after a motion and second; the recorded vote was taken by voice and the chair announced the motion carried.
The condemnation action will allow the utility to proceed with planned rehabilitation work at the lift station once the court process is complete; staff said they will return to the board with necessary follow-up documentation as the case advances.
