Yet another reason to oppose use of eminent domain by private developers - they have no reason to negotiate in good faith when they can use the hammer of government.
McEagle wants the land because it represents an entrance to Hazelwood Commerce Center. For Select Drink, that creates a problem. The company was founded at 5401 Lindbergh Bouldevard in the 1970s by Woltering’s father.“As it stands, we’re going to have to go into debt to build or acquire a new building,†Woltering said.
McEagle initially offered Select Drink $25,000 for the land, and gradually upped its offer to $375,000, said Robert Denlow, an attorney representing the businesses. Select Drink believes the land is worth more.
A court-appointed commission agreed. In December, the commission ruled McEagle should pay $1.6 million for the property.
So for property worth at least $1.6 million, the developer offers $25,000. Seems fair.
And why shouldn’t Select Drink get to keep its property in the face of a developer? There’s no reason to believe the property is blighted, no justifiable reason that a successful business should have to move just to accommodate a developer who wants a better entrance to its development.
