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New Freedom council debates eminent domain for condemned 1 East Franklin Street; motion fails
Summary
Council discussed pursuing eminent domain to address a condemned, hazardous building at 1 East Franklin Street and explored alternatives including property-maintenance enforcement and engineered park plans; a motion to begin eminent domain proceedings failed on a split voice vote.
New Freedom — The borough council debated for more than an hour whether to pursue eminent domain for a long-condemned building at 1 East Franklin Street, a structure officials described as a safety and public‑health hazard, but the motion to begin eminent domain proceedings failed.
Proponents argued the condition of the building and repeated safety incidents justified formal action. "I'm going to make the motion that borough staff and solicitor pursue eminent domain for 1 East Franklin Street," said Speaker 11, citing the owner's unwillingness to negotiate and the property's repeated condemnation and safety risks. Fire and emergency personnel described holes in…
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