City Mayor Michael Quill argued a few months ago that while the project may be detrimental to a few individuals, the $11 million hotel would greatly “benefit” the city—benefit the city’s coffers, that is. According to the developer, the project would have boosted tax revenue by up to $160,000.[2]
The local property owners, Renee and Doug Ward, Michael Kazanivsky, and Hi Jiang, had told Pioneer Companies they did not wish to sell, and the community stood behind them. Yet, under incredible duress from the threat of seizure, some of the property owners did reach agreements with the developer, believing their fight was lost.[3] At the same time, they organized rallies and spoke to the media about the city’s abuse of eminent domain.
The situation received extensive media coverage both locally and nationally, and the Castle Coalition appeared with the Wards on Fox News, FoxNews.com and a popular talk radio program.
In the end, the public pressure was too much for the Auburn Industrial Development Agency. Eminent domain is never good for the city or property owners. The Castle Coalition is glad that the city of Auburn now agrees.
[1] Eric Shawn, “Eminent Domain Defeated,” Fox News, May 6, 2010 at Live Shots Blog.
[2] Scott Rapp, “In Auburn, individual rights clash with ‘the greater good,’” The Post-Standard, April 5, 2010.
[3] Christopher Caskey, “Business owners talking with developers,” The Citizen, April 8, 2010.