Van Buren County Property Owners Pushing Back After State Files Eminent Domain
By: Josh Berry
Updated: September 27, 2012
14 property owners are facing off against the State Highway Commission in court after the state filed eminent domain on them for a highway widening project.
A group of the land owners claim they weren't offered near enough. They're prepared to fight for a higher price tag.
The State Highway Commission has plans to widen a two-lane stretch of HWY 65 in Van Buren County to four, with a turn lane.
They're working from the North and South meeting in the middle. That's where a few businesses are finding themselves; caught in the midst of a legal battle with the state.
All the nuts and bolts of Snappy Service Center spun at full capacity Thursday, utilizing every inch.
So when they're threatened to have valuable property taken away, at a not so valuable price, Service Center Owner, James Maulden, is prepared to stand his ground.
"It's insulting to think that 1500 hundred dollars is going to be acceptable," Maulden said.
That's how much the Arkansas State Highway Commission has offered him for a piece of property in Bee Branch.
The commission is working on acquiring land needed for a widening project off Highway 65 through Van Buren County.
Of the 98 parcels of property needed to start construction, 14 have complaints of imminent domain filed by the commission.
"Often times its very small in nature -- hundredths of an acre," explained Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department Public Information Coordinator, Randy Ort.
Certain property owners however, are prepared to fight for just a sliver.
"We're going have to rearrange," explained Maulden about having property taken away from him. "We're going to have to do some things and those are all expenses that in this economy you'd really rather not occur."
It's why they're asking for more than 15 hundred dollars.
The Highway Commission understands these kind of changes my have not been in the plans.
Ort said, "Very seldom do we go to acquire a piece of property that already has a for-sale sign in front of it."
Though they can't offer more than what they claim is fair-market value.
"We'll have to fight it in court the best we can," said shop owner, Maulden.
If they don't get as much as they're asking for, it could leave Maulden feeling short changed and looking for ways to make sure the wrenches still have space to turn.
"You've invested years worth of effort and all the money you can into something to hear the state say well what happens on that side of the line is not our problem."
The commission claimed they're doing what's in the best interest for the overall good of the public.
Businesses along this stretch agree widening may need to happen. While they didn't have plans to sell just a fraction of an acre anytime soon, getting a fair, agreeable price is all they said they're asking for.
The commission hopes to begin construction by next summer.
A group of the land owners claim they weren't offered near enough. They're prepared to fight for a higher price tag.
The State Highway Commission has plans to widen a two-lane stretch of HWY 65 in Van Buren County to four, with a turn lane.
They're working from the North and South meeting in the middle. That's where a few businesses are finding themselves; caught in the midst of a legal battle with the state.
All the nuts and bolts of Snappy Service Center spun at full capacity Thursday, utilizing every inch.
So when they're threatened to have valuable property taken away, at a not so valuable price, Service Center Owner, James Maulden, is prepared to stand his ground.
"It's insulting to think that 1500 hundred dollars is going to be acceptable," Maulden said.
That's how much the Arkansas State Highway Commission has offered him for a piece of property in Bee Branch.
The commission is working on acquiring land needed for a widening project off Highway 65 through Van Buren County.
Of the 98 parcels of property needed to start construction, 14 have complaints of imminent domain filed by the commission.
"Often times its very small in nature -- hundredths of an acre," explained Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department Public Information Coordinator, Randy Ort.
Certain property owners however, are prepared to fight for just a sliver.
"We're going have to rearrange," explained Maulden about having property taken away from him. "We're going to have to do some things and those are all expenses that in this economy you'd really rather not occur."
It's why they're asking for more than 15 hundred dollars.
The Highway Commission understands these kind of changes my have not been in the plans.
Ort said, "Very seldom do we go to acquire a piece of property that already has a for-sale sign in front of it."
Though they can't offer more than what they claim is fair-market value.
"We'll have to fight it in court the best we can," said shop owner, Maulden.
If they don't get as much as they're asking for, it could leave Maulden feeling short changed and looking for ways to make sure the wrenches still have space to turn.
"You've invested years worth of effort and all the money you can into something to hear the state say well what happens on that side of the line is not our problem."
The commission claimed they're doing what's in the best interest for the overall good of the public.
Businesses along this stretch agree widening may need to happen. While they didn't have plans to sell just a fraction of an acre anytime soon, getting a fair, agreeable price is all they said they're asking for.
The commission hopes to begin construction by next summer.
