The State Supreme Court issues an important decision in an eminent domain case in Clayton in St. Louis County. It involves a determination by a firm commissioned by the city that an area was "blighted," and subject to eminent domain takeover.
Centene Plaza Redevelopment Corporation bought property with plans to expand that property and parking space. The firm hired by Clayton city officials to analyze the area concluded the property qualified as a blighted area. The city then passed an ordinance declaring the area to be blighted and approved Centene’s plans.
Centene ran into problems as it tried to acquire certain affected properties. Those properties challenged the acquisition effort and were handed a defeat by the trial court. But the property owners appealed and the Supreme Court has reversed the lower court decision.