California Eminent Domain Report

 Here's a few updates on eminent domain-related issues taking place in California this week:

• City of Covina Condemnation:  According to an article in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Covina using eminent domain to take property from Alhassen-controlled company, the City of Covina has filed an eminent domain action to acquire a vacant, half-acre property owned by West Covina-based developer Ziad Alhassen.  The City intends to utilize the property for parking for police department employees and County firefighters.  The condemnation action was necessary after the City and the owner apparently had a "huge gap" in their appraised values for the property.  
• Pasadena Sees Impact of Elimination of Redevelopment:  Curbed Los Angeles is reporting in its article, Post-Eminent Domain Seizure, Pas Doesn't Have the Cash to Fix Up Old Julia Morgan YWCA Building, that after the City of Pasadena filed an eminent domain action to acquire the old Julia Morgan YWCA Building (see our previous post), the City is now in a quandry in deciding what to do with the property once the action is resolved.  With the elimination of redevelopment in California, the City won't have the money it needs to restore the building.
• Lake County Moves Forward with Sewer Project:  The Lake County Record-Bee is reporting in its article, Sewer pipeline project approved, that the Lake County Sanitation District has adopted a resolution of necessity to acquire property necessary for a wastewater sewer pipeline project in Clearlake.  The condemnations will involve partial acquisitions, and the construction contractor has been directed to work with property owners to minimize impacts.  
• Battle For Brooklyn Screening:  For those of you up in Nor. Cal. who haven't had a chance to catch the screening of "Battle For Brooklyn," here's your chance:  it's playing tonight at the Roxie Theater.  Check out our good friend Robert Thomas' blog, inversecondemnation.com, for details on the movie time and where to grab tickets.  Robert will actually be there to answer any questions you may have.