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Resident warns council of possible eminent-domain-driven redevelopment in downtown Merriam
Summary
A Merriam resident told the council he believes recent planning and purchases point to an intent to use eminent domain for private redevelopment downtown and cited state law and engineering plans as cause for concern.
Billy Crone, a Merriam resident who gave his address for the record, told the City Council he fears the administration is preparing to use eminent domain to assemble property for private redevelopment in historic downtown Merriam.
"Kansas state law, KSA 2 6 5 0 1 a b, was enacted with the intention to prohibit cities from using eminent domain for future private economic redevelopment," Crone said, asserting that the Army Corps of Engineers' initial draft flood plans did not threaten downtown but that the city later paid engineers to prepare "more aggressive plans that will demolish all or part of historic Downtown Merriam." He said one plan would raise downtown ground levels by several feet, another would raise bridges, and that a city long-range plan includes language calling for "ambitious property assembly." Crone told the council he had a spreadsheet of at least nine properties bought in the last three years "totaling over $4,000,000" and said that, in his view, the purchases demonstrate intent.
The council did not take action in response to Crone's remarks during the public-comment period. The mayor closed public comment and the meeting proceeded to the consent agenda.
