New London preparing for evictions in eminent domain dispute

New London preparing for evictions in eminent domain dispute

By Matt Apuzzo, Associated Press Writer | June 5, 2006

NEW HAVEN, Conn. --City officials were preparing Monday to begin eviction proceedings
against residents who refuse to leave their coastal Connecticut homes, a move that
could signal the end is near in an eminent domain dispute that reached the U.S.
Supreme Court.

"I anticipate we are headed into the home stretch," New London Mayor Elizabeth Sabilia
said Monday morning, hours before the City Council was due to vote on whether to evict
the three families remaining in the Fort Trumbull neighborhood.

The small city has been trying for a decade to redevelop the once vibrant riverfront
neighborhood. Seven homeowners challenged the city's plans to seize the property and build
a hotel, convention center and upscale condominiums, saying eminent domain can't be used
to private development.

But a 5-4 Supreme Court ruling last year upheld the city's right to take the homes. Since then,
all but three people have settled with the city, taken money and left.