Posted on Aug 5, 2022
Eminent domain looms over University City residents as Costco nears completion
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Only the driveways remain on Richard Court. Until recently, 18 tidy brick homes ringed this cul-de-sac in University City, but now even the street sign has been removed, replaced by construction fencing and a new sign directing deliveries for an under-construction Costco.
It’s not just this street that's changed in the shadow of the Costco. Nearby are two nearly identical cul-de-sacs, Elmore and Orchard, that are undergoing similar transformations for the $190 million development known as Markets at Olive.
City officials have touted the potential for tax revenue, and in 2019 the city council committed $70 million in tax increment financing to get the project rolling.
But as construction continues, residents watching the big-box retailer rise above their community are becoming increasingly worried about eminent domain, a legal process that allows governments to force the sale of private property.
Governments like University City's can use this process to clear space for needed public services, like roads or utilities. But in other cases, they can use eminent domain to clear property for private developers, even those just out to make a profit.
It’s not just this street that's changed in the shadow of the Costco. Nearby are two nearly identical cul-de-sacs, Elmore and Orchard, that are undergoing similar transformations for the $190 million development known as Markets at Olive.
City officials have touted the potential for tax revenue, and in 2019 the city council committed $70 million in tax increment financing to get the project rolling.
But as construction continues, residents watching the big-box retailer rise above their community are becoming increasingly worried about eminent domain, a legal process that allows governments to force the sale of private property.
Governments like University City's can use this process to clear space for needed public services, like roads or utilities. But in other cases, they can use eminent domain to clear property for private developers, even those just out to make a profit.
Eminent domain looms over University City residents as Costco nears completion
Posted from news.stlpublicradio.orgPosted in these groups: 
St. LouisCostco Wholesale
St. LouisCostco Wholesale
Posted 2 y ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."Governments like University City's can use this process to clear space for needed public services, like roads or utilities. But in other cases, they can use eminent domain to clear property for private developers, even those just out to make a profit.
For years, University City officials have assured residents that eminent domain would not be deployed against them. In 2018, Mayor Terry Crow told the St. Louis Business Journal that the city “will not use eminent domain on any owner-occupied residences. Period.”
But as the development progressed, eminent domain has indeed been used to buy up several small businesses. Developers sought to negotiate buyouts with homeowners, and residents have held on through years of negotiations and false starts. Today, most who maintained homes in the development area have left, relenting to the reality of their changing neighborhoods."...
..."Governments like University City's can use this process to clear space for needed public services, like roads or utilities. But in other cases, they can use eminent domain to clear property for private developers, even those just out to make a profit.
For years, University City officials have assured residents that eminent domain would not be deployed against them. In 2018, Mayor Terry Crow told the St. Louis Business Journal that the city “will not use eminent domain on any owner-occupied residences. Period.”
But as the development progressed, eminent domain has indeed been used to buy up several small businesses. Developers sought to negotiate buyouts with homeowners, and residents have held on through years of negotiations and false starts. Today, most who maintained homes in the development area have left, relenting to the reality of their changing neighborhoods."...
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