The City of Lacey would like to build a roundabout at 22nd Avenue and College Street Southwest as part of an effort to widen College Street between 37th Avenue Southeast and Lacey Boulevard.
The city has been acquiring property to build the roundabout since 2013, but has not been able to secure the final seven parcels. This led the city council to authorize using eminent domain.
Eminent domain is the power given to governments to take private property for the use of the public, with the owner of the property being given fair compensation for the action. Dave Schneider, Lacey's city attorney, plans to file an action in the Superior Court of Thurston County soon, outlining the details of the property, and including the council's vote to approve eminent domain.
Schneider said that if the process goes forward, it will be the city that will be responsible for arguing its case for acquiring these parcels. The properties' value has been appraised, and that information will be given to the court.
Schneider emphasized that the city's decision does not mean negotiations will stop with the property owners, two of whom are close to reaching agreement. He added that the measure is a process.
Issues like this can impact entire communities, so officials could work with a newsletter printing company to create a letter for residents to keep them updated.
Location
8410 30th Ave NE
Unit A
Lacey, WA 98516
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