12162016 - News Article - Portage will move to eminent domain for park landmark

Portage will move to eminent domain for park landmark
NWI Times
December 16, 2016
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/portage-will-move-to-eminant-domain-for-park-landrk/article_bb07281a-f0ff-5acc-9918-1bf08264d3ee.html

PORTAGE — City officials have approved starting eminent domain proceedings to gain ownership of Dombey Lake.

At the Redevelopment Commission this past week, City Attorney Gregg Sobkowski said the city got two appraisals for the property and made an offer for the average of the two, $141,100, to the property owner.

The offer was not accepted by the property owner, said Sobkowski.

The next step, which the commission approved by a 4-1 vote, was to authorize the Board of Works to begin eminent domain procedures. Member John Cannon voted against condemning the property.

The city intends to turn the 38 acres, which includes the 13-acre lake, into a west side neighborhood park. The lake itself is a barrow pit dug for material to be used during the construction of the Indiana Toll Road, but the east side of the property is sand dunes and woods.

The property was owned by J.B. Lawrence, a local businessman, and has been held in trust since his death.

In other business, the commission approved moving forward with the purchase of another parcel of property. The commission will offer owners of a 2.5-acre parcel on the west side of Stagecoach Road and U.S. 12 $250,000. In addition, the motion included authorizing the Board of Works to initiate eminent domain procedures if the owner did not take the offer.

The property is needed for the extension of Daniel Burnham Drive and development of the city's north side.