Vineland Reduces Eminent Domain Threat

This week, the Vineland City Council approved a reduction of the potential use of eminent domain on a municipal redevelopment project involving properties at the intersection of East and Landis avenues.  The project had originally included all four corners of the intersection, but the recent change of heart by the City will now exclude the corner where the East Landis Hotel is located because of issues — including a potential court challenge — expected to arise with that corner, which could postpone progress at the other three corners.  As revised, the project is expected to include  plans to renovate and re-open Landis Theatre, to expand a local  high school and to build senior housing and retail space.

Local officials were apparently concerned that the City’s initial $50 million revitalization plan needs to be carried out, and their decision to re-examine the area and redevelopment project on a smaller scale reflects their desire to proceed without further delay.

Read more about this project here

This municipal decision is in line with a recent trend of local government actions limiting the use of eminent domain for private redevelopment purposes.  Although the remainder of the project in Vineland may still proceed with the use of eminent domain for property acquisitions, the City took action to reduce the threat of eminent domain for some of the properties in question.