Great-Grandmother Takes City Officials on Tour of Her Home,
Convinces Them Not to Take It
Doris Dahline recently achieved success in her battle with local officials in Eagan who wanted to condemn her home as part of a business redevelopment plan. The City Council was set to vote on whether to condemn Dahline’s property, a measure that was expected to pass. However, at the eleventh hour the 72-year old great-grandmother, who spent 30 years transforming her house into a dream home, took City officials on a tour of the house. Afterward, she attended the City Council meeting with her lawyer hoping to make another plea. Before she could speak, however, Mayor Pat Awada informed her that the Council had decided not to condemn Dahline’s home and that the City would allow her to live in her home as long as she liked. Though the home would remain within the Eagan redevelopment district, the City agreed to sign an agreement that forbids it from condemning her property. In return, Mrs. Dahline agreed that when she dies, or if she ever decides to sell her home, the City will have a first chance to buy it.1
1 Joe Kimball, “Eagan Woman’s Fight to Save Home Culminates in a Surprise: Victory,” Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Jan. 7, 2002, at B1.