May 12, 2008
NOBLESVILLE NEWS & SPORTS http://www.county29.net/
Writen by Rob Borders rborders@noblesvilledailytimes.com
Map by Keri McGruder
It is business as usual for employees at McMillan Auto Care and Towing. Cars needing repair fill the garage and the tow truck sits until its next call.
It is anything but business as usual for owners Charles McMillan and son, Charlie, as the two wait for Hamilton Superior Court 1 Judge Steve Nation's ruling on an eminent domain hearing that impacts their property at 599 Conner St.
Hamilton County officials are seeking land ownership on the property to make way for additional parking for county employees. The business is currently surrounded by a county parking lot.
"We have not heard a word, nothing," Charlie McMillan Jr. said Friday. "Everything is still very much up in the air. It looms, there is not a day goes by that it is not mentioned by somebody asking if we have heard anything.
"This whole thing keeps us on edge, but we try to stay positive and keep it business as usual," he said. "We can't dwell on it."
The county initially offered the McMillans $314,000 for the property. The McMillans want at least $1.5 million for the property, and negotiations on the property are ongoing as both parties await Nation's decision. The judge heard arguments on the matter March 18.
Mike Antrim, the attorney representing the McMillans, confirmed the case is still pending.
"There has been no ruling from the court and settlement negotiations are occurring," he said.
McMillan acknowledged he and his father work in a unique situation, regarding the change that has surrounded them the past 20 years. He has watched businesses close and buildings be torn down.
"I literally saw the state highway widened," McMillan said. "I've watched the courthouse go up, and I can remember when Sixth Street used to go through to Logan Street.
"But, we've remained the same," he added. "I have watched the landscape change before my eyes. It is so funny to see the transformation."
This article is reprinted with permission of the Noblesville News & Sports and can be found at http://www.county29.net/cms2/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13957&pop=1&page=0&Itemid=230