California Eminent Domain Project News: More Condemnation Approvals: California High Speel Rail Gears Up for More Acquisitions
On Wednesday, the State Public Works Board approved approximately 160 parcels between Fresno and Kings Counties for acquisition for the high-speed rail project. The California High Speed Rail Authority (“CHSRA”) requested acquisition of the 160 parcels which, in addition to several hundred other parcels, they believe are necessary for the construction of the rail project…. Read more »
California Eminent Domain Project News: CHSRA Adds Palmdale to Burbank Track on Route
California High Speed Rail’s recent increase in activity in the Central Valley has caused some rail backers and opponents to voice their dissatisfaction with the “train to nowhere” plan. Both groups have taken the position that starting the high speed bullet train in the Central Valley has no benefit. The dissatisfaction has caused a political… Read more »
California Eminent Domain Project News: California High Speed Rail Authority’s Funding Dinged Again
A recently approved transportation bill which has blocked CHSRA’s possibility of getting additional federal funding for the up-coming fiscal year is not the only money crisis facing the rail project. The planned funding by the State for the high-speed rail has been tentatively approved for $250 million beginning in fiscal 2015. This massive sum, however,… Read more »
California Eminent Domain Project News: CHSRA Receives a Record of Decision from Federal Railroad Administration, Fresno-Bakersfield Tracks Approved
On Friday the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued a Record of Decision (ROD) for the 114 mile high speed rail track from Fresno to Bakersfield. The DOR reflects the FRA’s adaptation of a preferred alternative to the track which was outlined in the Final Environmental Impact Statement. The FRA chose the alternative track alignment in… Read more »
Richmond, California Has Yet to Exercise Eminent Domain to Seize Underwater Mortgages, 6/30/14
While the city of Richmond is the first municipality to approve the concept of using eminent domain to acquire underwater mortgages, the city has yet to actually do so. The City Council has been unable to get the needed 5 out of 7 votes to go through with eminent domain proceedings. Therefore, the city is… Read more »
San Francisco Bay Commission Suing Feds to Stop Eminent Domain Attempts in Alameda County, 6/25/14
The San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission is ready for a gruesome battle with the federal General Service Administration over McKay Avenue in the county of Alameda. The Commission’s decision to challenge GSA’s exercise of eminent domain to acquire McKay Avenue was reached during a closed session meeting held on June 5th. After the… Read more »
California Eminent Domain Project News: CHSRA Gives Thumbs Up on Fresno-Bakersfield Track
On May 7, California High Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) board members voted on the next section of the rail project. The two-part vote resulted in the approval of the 114-mile route from downtown Fresno to the northern outskirts of Bakersfield. The first part of the vote was dedicated to the 20,000 page Environmental Impact Report… Read more »
California Eminent Domain Project News: Senate Committee Rejects Attempts at Another Vote for the California High Speed Rail
The ongoing tug-of-war between rail backers and opponents to the project has led to delays in California’s plan to build a high speed rail. Since its voter-back initiative, Proposition 1A, was passed back in 2008, the California High Speed Rail project has encountered numerous bumps in the road. The latest was the appeal denied by… Read more »
Eminent Domain Appeal Denied: Sacramento On Track For Kings’ New Arena, 4/21/14
After months of deliberation, negotiation and court appearances, the city of Sacramento won its appeal for possession of the former Macy’s building. The last piece of the puzzle completes the needed land for the new $448 million Kings arena scheduled to open in 2016. But the battle for the ex-Macy’s building remains fierce. The City… Read more »
California Eminent Domain Project News: LA Metro Purple Line Extension Project
The extension of the Metro Purple Line has been discussed, studied and planned for years and now the city of Los Angeles has begun construction on the first of three sections of the subway. Metro Purple Line will be extended 9 miles to the west starting at the Wilshire/Western terminus. The project will also be… Read more »