In a recent article published by the Star Tribune, attorney Dan Schleck provides commentary regarding the City of Stillwater’s attempt to take his client’s property through the use of eminent domain.
“Clearly, this is an example of a City’s attempt to use its eminent domain powers to take the property of one private citizen and transfer it to another private citizen without necessity of exclusively or public use or public purpose” Schleck stated. The dispute relates to the city’s desire to expand a city-owned surface lot adjacent to the National Guard Armory, which is planned for redevelopment into luxury apartments and a craft distillery. Click here to read the full article.
The issue began in 2017 when the city council directed the staff to make an offer on the property owned by Shorty Dry Cleaner, a family-owned company that has been in business at the Stillwater location since the 1920’s. Additional details about the dispute were reported in the St. Paul Pioneer Press and can be viewed here.