With plans to realign Riverside Drive, the City of Dublin has begun the process of obtaining land for the project by eminent domain. The realignment in the Bridge Street District is planned for 2015 as part of the City’s five-year Capital Improvement Plan. The project to realign Riverside Drive will include a roundabout to be located at the Riverside Drive-State Route 161 intersection and will also provide parks on both sides of the Scioto River.
Last week Dublin City Council members approved the intent to appropriate two properties on Riverside Drive, north of Tuller Parkway. The properties are the Spa at River Ridge and a private residence at 6694 Riverside Drive. City Manager Marsha Grigsby told council members that “good” conversations were taking place with the property owner. After council passed the resolution to acquire the property, Grigsby said a good faith offer would be extended to the property owner.
The Spa at River Ridge is located on a 1.437 acre parcel and the private home sits on 0.224 acres.
Dublin has been acquiring property for the realignment and parks project and has already purchased the former Digger and Fitch Restaurant and Bridge Pointe Shopping Center.
At the council meeting last week, members heard the first reading of an ordinance to purchase 4.4 acres on the west side of the Scioto River. That area includes the Indian Run Stream bed located between the Scioto River and Dublin Road. This land is considered “critical” to the establishing an “integrated park system” along the Scioto River and aid the City with construction of a pedestrian bridge spanning the river.
Property owners of the land sought to be acquired have the right to receive a fair market value for their property. An eminent domain attorney can make certain that property owners facing eminent domain proceedings are sufficiently compensated.
If a government agency or utility company has expressed a desire to obtain property you own, contact the Columbus, Ohio law firm of Clark, Perdue & List.