AUBURN -- Dozens of people protested in Auburn Saturday afternoon. They're opposed to the possibility some local businesses could lose their land through eminent domain.
The Pioneer Companies wants to build a Hilton Garden Inn on the State Street properties. The Auburn Industrial Deveopment Authority said it would use eminent domain as a last resort.
Renee Smith Ward owns one of the properties. She operates the Wag'in Tail Dog Grooming there. She led the protest of people who were wearing t-shirts and carrying signs in opposition of eminent domain. Smith Ward said, We're trying to do the best we can in pulling the community together. I think the community needs to know about this. We believe that if it can happen to us, it can happen to them."
Michael Kazanivsky also owns one of the pieces of land. He said he had plans to put something community and family oriented there. Now he's worried it will just be taken from him. He said, "I worked hard for it, scrimped and saved to buy the property 12 years ago. I've had plans for it. I worked hard on it. And I don't think someone should come steal it from me."
We spoke to the president of the Pioneer Companies. He said the project would produce significant economic benefits in the community bringing in 50 full time jobs and between $200,000-300,000 in tax revenue.
