The city of St. Louis will likely pay more than $1.6 million to compensate property owners who faced eminent domain to make way for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency’s new facility.
Circuit Court Judge David Dowd appointed three commissioners to view the properties, hear testimony and decide the damages. They filed their report on 31 parcels on Friday. (They have until May 19 to file a report on the last 12 parcels, including the Buster Brown Blue Ribbon Shoe Factory.)
Only a few of the property owners named in the eminent domain suit actually contested the city’s offer.
But as St. Louis Public Radio reported earlier, homeowner Sheila Rendon has protested the location of the NGA in her St. Louis Place neighborhood on the city's near north side. At a hearing with commissioners, Rendonasked that the city move her homeor give her at least $500,000 for the replacement value.
The commissioners set the sale amount at $175,000 for Rendon’s home. The city’s last offer to Rendon had been for about $133,000.
Calls to Rendon were not immediately returned. Otis Williams, the St. Louis Development Corporation executive director who is overseeing the city’s efforts, also did not return calls Monday.
Either side can appeal the commissioners’ findings. The contested value of the property would then go before a jury.
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