AUBURN -- More than 100 people came out to a public hearing in Auburn Monday night on the issue of eminent domain. A developer wants to build an $11 million dollar hotel on State Street in Auburn, but the project would require three property owners to move. The Auburn Industrial Development Authority is looking at eminent domain as an option.
A majority of the standing room only crowd at Monday night's hearing were against the idea of using eminent domain. Some wore t-shirts or displayed signs protesting eminent domain. The three property owners impacted by the proposal say they don't want to move, and shouldn't be forced to. Renee Ward says "For someone to have the authority to vote yes to have our building taken down with a bulldozer for a very low price this hurts. Eminent domain is not right."
Jim Dacey of the AIDA says the city is trying to negotiate reasonable compensation for all three property owners. City officials are also looking at other possible locations in downtown for the hotel. Dacey says eminent domain will only be used as a last resort.
Developer Pioneer Companies says the hotel will bring 50 full time jobs and hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax revenue to Auburn.
