http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/1104condemn.html
Quote:
Use of eminent domain challenged
County forcing Peoria landlord to extend lease
Alia Beard Rau
The Arizona Republic
Nov. 4, 2003 12:00 AM
The owner of a West Valley strip shopping center has been forced to continue leasing space to Peoria Justice Court, sparking the latest in a series of Valley battles over the government's right to take over privately owned land.
Orsett/Columbia Ltd. is awaiting a ruling by the state Court of Appeals on a Pinal County Superior Court decision in July that backed the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.
In requiring the shopping center's owners to give space to Peoria Justice Court at 75th Avenue and Cactus Road, the lower court ruled that public good overrides private property rights.
An Orsett official said the decision sets dangerous precedent.
"This means municipalities can identify a space they want and force a landlord to lease it to them," said Mike Freret vice president of development for Orsett/Columbia Ltd. "It may mean that if the space they want already has a business owner in it, they could boot them out."
Tom Irvine, who represented the county, said that's exactly what it means.
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This is the sort of act I find reprehensible in government, and while you can argue 'the needs of the many outweigh blah blah blah...' that doesn't mean that 'the few' aren’t getting a royal screw job.