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Judge asks Coweta Council when bridge property will be acquired; city attorney says condemnation not agendized
Summary
Judge Douglas Kirkley asked the Council for an update on rights-of-way and condemnation for the 121st Street Bridge project; Mayor Hogue and City Manager Casteen said the matter will be placed on the next agenda if rights-of-way remain unresolved and City Attorney Patrick Boulden warned the Council cannot vote on condemnation until it is agendized.
Judge Douglas Kirkley asked the Coweta City Council on Jan. 5 for a status report on the 121st Street Bridge project, pressing for details about rights-of-way acquisition, whether bids have been reviewed, who is overseeing the project, and whether condemnation proceedings are being finalized.
Kirkley asked how long negotiations with property owners will continue and whether the majority of the Council favored condemnation if agreements cannot be reached. Mayor Naomi Hogue and City Manager Julie Casteen said that if rights-of-way are not secured by the next Council meeting the issue will be placed on that agenda. City Attorney Patrick Boulden advised that the Council could not vote on condemnation until the matter is formally placed on an agenda.
Why this matters: rights-of-way acquisition and potential condemnation determine project timing and costs for bridge construction. The Council offered no timetable beyond the commitment to agendize the matter if negotiations stall.
Next steps: staff will monitor rights-of-way negotiations; the Council may consider a condemnation item at a future meeting if property acquisitions are not completed.
