August 4th, 2008 — By — In News & Events
New Support for Property Owner in Music Row Eminent Domain Case
Since 2000, Nashville’s Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency has unsuccessfully attempted to negotiate the purchase of property owned by Joy Ford at 23 Music Circle East, Nashville. Because Ford has refused to sell to MDHA, the Authority has indicated that it will use eminent domain to seize her property. However, Ford has gained a new ally in the National Federation of Independent Businesses. NFIB announced last week that it will defend Ford “every step of the way” against MDHA.
Ms. Ford’s property houses her business, Country International Records, and is nestled in the Metro Arts Center Redevelopment District. It seems that the public purpose for which MDHA needs this property is for the construction of a multimillion dollar mixed-use office and hotel complex planned by developer Lionstone.
In a statement released Friday, NFIB explained how it perceives the eminent domain threat against Ms. Ford: “The city wants to seize the land and hand it over to a private developer for a proposed hotel and office building.” NFIB further stated that “NFIB/Tennessee members overwhelmingly believe the government’s power of eminent domain must be restricted to prevent private property from being seized for private commercial enterprises.”
The Tennessee Business Journal has been covering this story from Nashville. To read more about Nashville’s Music Row eminent domain case visit https://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/stories/2008/07/28/daily64.html
If you are a Tennessee property owner facing eminent domain, J. Kevin Walsh of Harris, Shelton, Hanover & Walsh, PLLC in Memphis is the Owners’ Counsel of America Tennessee Member dedicated to representing property owners in condemnation litigation.