EMINENT DOMAIN ABUSE …
The city of Charleston, S.C. wants to force a private property owner to unload a prime real estate asset so that it can build a park.
According to WCSC TV-5 (CBS – Charleston) the property coveted by the city is a “gateway to Charleston” that government officials wish to incorporate into a broader “revitalization” project.
The owners? They want to use the property – their property – to open a gas station and convenience store. Which should be their absolute right.
Liberal Charleston mayor John Tecklenberg has other ideas, though, telling city council members that the acquisition of this property is not his “hope” but rather his “expectation.”
Hence the “takings” threat …
This practice – known as eminent domain – allows government to force the sale of private property at what it deems to be “fair market value” in the event there is a compelling public need.
Does a park fit the “compelling public need” definition? Hell no.
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Nonetheless, Charleston is making precisely such a threat as it continues to “negotiate” with the property owner.
One of two things is going to happen here – neither of them good.
City government either is going to pay an inflated price to purchase this property – where it will then spend more tax dollars to build a park – or it will seize the property at a “fair market rate.” And then build a park.
Neither outcome is fair. Or cheap.
Obviously we can see certain situations in which eminent domain is an unfortunate necessity – in the event government is performing a core function. For example, consider a transportation project that has been objectively ranked as a priority (imagine that, South Carolina). In such a case, we can see how eminent domain might be required – assuming all other possible outcomes have been exhausted.
But building a park? Please …
This is heavy-handed government at its worst.
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