Settlements and Verdicts

Downtown Improvement

Springfield, OH: (Apr-29-08) Garth and Jennifer Robinson, the last property owners in the first phase of the downtown hospital area near Buck Creek, have been locked in a legal wrangle with the city of Springfield over eminent domain issues. The city had filed eminent domain against the Robinsons, who contested the city's right to take their property. Sources close to the case stated that as part of a settlement reached, the city agreed to resolve the dispute by paying the Robinsons $2.5 million for most of their property. In exchange, the Robinsons will donate two rental homes and a commercial building to the city.

Apart from the $2.5 million, the couple will also receive an undetermined amount of relocation assistance, depending on moving costs. Records show that the city had offered about $1 million for the five acres with 39,000 square feet in seven buildings. The Robinsons' first counter offer was $5.5 million. Following the settlement, the houses can be razed soon after the city takes ownership. As planned, the city will pursue a Clean Ohio Assistance Fund grant to demolish and clean up the industrial properties possibly in the last quarter of 2008. Regarding the deal, the Robinsons said that it allows the business to continue without forcing them into debt due to expenses such as duplicating property, improvements, taxes and more. [SPRINGFIELD NEWS-SUN: CITY, ROBINSONS SETTLE]

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