The city is still in the process of negotiating with the owner of the property. Council agreed on Sept. 1 to grant staff the ability to begin eminent domain proceedings should that become necessary, Mayor George Fuller said.
The property the city is looking to obtain is located east of Hwy. 5 between East Louisiana Street and Anthony Street, according to meeting documents.
There is a public need for the city to acquire this area and develop it for a parking lot, according to meeting documents.
“As we have seen and talked about additional growth plans over in the area, we've realized that one of those aspects that we need to be successful development is additional parking,” city staff told the council during a work session earlier that day. “Let's put that parking in as we're doing other projects, not waiting until the projects or development projects are in and then trying to catch up to it. Let's be proactive.”
The property serves as a home to some trailers and mobile homes, and if the eminent domain does become needed, the city would assist with the relocation of these uses, Fuller said.
Council approved the resolution 6-1, with Council Member La’Shadion Shemwell voting against it.
