by Nicole Bradford
The City of Pearland may use eminent domain to move forward with a priority drainage project along Veterans Drive.
The Veterans Drainage Improvement Project requires the purchase of a 1.24 strip of vacant land east of Veterans Drive at the end of Fite Road, between Twin Lakes Trail and Mary’s Creek.
An offer was made based on an appraisal of $147,342.
“The city has not received a counter-offer because the property co-owners have been unable to jointly agree on a proposed counter-offer,” city documents state. “Therefore, the city will need to proceed with acquisition of the property through the eminent domain process.”
Pearland City Council on April 28 voted to move forward with eminent domain, which allows a governmental entity to seize private property for public use, so long as the owner is paid “just compensation.” Eminent domain is used by federal, state, and local governments for projects such as parks and public infrastructure.
Should the property owners agree on a counter-offer, City Attorney Darrin Coker said, “We would possibly proceed with that, but in the interim, we still need to move forward with the project.”
