Scott County intends to take ownership of 84 parcels along Hwy. 169 to complete an outstanding county road project.
The Board of Commissioners voted Jan. 16 to authorize eminent domain proceedings on the land near Shakopee. Eminent domain allows the government agencies to take private property for public use with compensation.
A letter informed property owners last spring that right of way proceedings would begin on their land to overhaul Hwy. 169 and the Hwy. 41 intersection. The $47 million project would also build an overpass and frontage roads to accelerate commutes.
As of mid-January, the owners of 77 of properties had struck deals with the county. Commissioner Dave Beer, who voted against the measure both times, expressed concern about the settlement rate, which he considered low.
"I really wanted to make sure that the people affected really have their time to go through this," Beer said.
Lisa Freese, county transportation services director, acknowledged that road projects typically have a higher settlement rate by this stage, but said she remains optimistic that more families will negotiate over the next month. At least six more homeowners have offered verbal agreements with the county.
"We're doing our best to try and work with all the property owners to get them information they're required to have before they can make a sound financial decision," Freese said.
To get the project authorized this fiscal year, which ends June 30, the county must push forward, Freese said. It takes 60 days to acquire the title and possession of the land once the county files eminent domain documents.
