Stamford”™s board of representatives reportedly approved the use of eminent domain if necessary to acquire properties along the city”™s 2.3-mile Urban Transitway bus thoroughfare under construction.
The city plans to buy six properties on Myrtle Avenue, Elm and East streets, according to the Stamford Advocate, and portions of 18 other properties on Myrtle Avenue.
Stamford plans to offer owners what it deems to be fair market value for their properties, but with the powers of eminent domain can force property sales. Eminent domain is a particularly controversial topic in Connecticut, following a notorious case in New London in which that city bought properties under eminent domain for commercial development, only to see some of those properties remain vacant after homes had been razed.