A U.S. Supreme Court ruling gives cities broad powers to condemn private property to make way for economic development. Whether it will have an impact in Missouri depends on who you talk to. The Court ruled against New London, Connecticut residents fighting the city’s move to take their property through eminent domain to make way for a riverfront development. It affirmed the rights of cities to condemn property and give just compensation to promote a higher economic use. Missouri Municipal League Executive Director Gary Markenson doesn’t believe the ruling will embolden cities to use eminent domain more often. He says Missouri cities are comfortable with state law. The Missouri Farm Bureau is not. Leslie Holloway with the Bureau sees flaws in the current law. Holloway and Markenson agree on one thing: that the ruling will reignite interest in the issue in the legislative session next year.
