California Eminent Domain Report

The City of Glendale plans to vote tonight on a plan that would extend eminent domain authority in its central redevelopment area for an additional 12 years.  According to an August 10 article in the Glendale-News Press, "City Set to Extend Eminent Domain," the agency's eminent domain authority is currently set to expire next month. 

According to the Director of the Community Redevelopment & Housing Department, Philip Lanzafame, eminent domain is a key tool if redevelopment projects are to succeed:  "If you didn't have this, some property owners could hold the community hostage."

This action comes as Glendale is in the midst of efforts to acquire a key property needed for a planned expansion of the Museum of Neon Art.  So far, those efforts have been unsuccessful, and a representative of the property's owner has asked the city to hold off while he completes efforts to bring a national retail tenant to the space.  

Assuming Glendale does indeed extend its eminent domain authority, whether the property's owner is able to secure a major tenant may become moot, as the city's authority to condemn will trump any other plans the owner may have for the property.