City reports progress on Cadillac Heights property acquisitions; staff to reinitiate offers and pursue eminent domain for some parcels

Ashley Eubanks of Facilities and Real Estate Management updated the committee on the city—s Cadillac Heights property acquisitions. The overall Cadillac Heights area covers approximately 70 acres in Council District 4 and has been divided into phases for acquisition and disposition. Phase 1 spans about 27.5 acres (103 parcels) and was acquired using 2003 bond funds; in January 2023 council approved an additional use for the Phase 1 acreage as Roland Parish Park and staff said Phase 1 acquisitions are complete.

Phases 2 and 3 together cover the remaining acreage. Phase 2a comprises about 23.6 acres (101 parcels) with seven parcels still to be acquired (staff said new independent appraisals are underway). Phase 2b is about 5.3 acres (29 parcels) with four parcels remaining. Phase 3 covers about 13.8 acres (68 parcels) with 16 parcels still to be acquired. Staff said some remaining parcels may require eminent domain because of title complications (e.g., clouded titles, outstanding taxes) and that independent appraisals and renewed offers are in progress; staff indicated they plan to seek council approval for eminent domain for properties in Phase 2 by May or June.

Committee members queried the bond authority and intent (some earlier bond fund language had referenced acquisition for police facilities, others for city facilities generally); staff said they would coordinate with the bond office and city attorney to provide clear documentation about bond-authorized uses. Members also discussed floodplain mapping, whether the Phase 1 park is appropriately sited outside floodplain areas, the public purpose for remaining acquisitions and how any relocated city facilities would be sited relative to neighborhoods. Eubanks said staff will continue appraisals, outreach and legal steps and will return to council with eminent domain requests as needed.