New Castle City Council approves agreement on eminent domain

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- City council will help the Lawrence County Redevelopment Authority to acquire property at Riverview Park for a commerce park.
Council approved a cooperation agreement with the authority Saturday morning to allow the authority to use eminent domain, if necessary, on behalf of the city to acquire property for the redevelopment of the former Shenango China plant property on the city's West Side.
Eminent domain enables government to force the sale of private property for the good of the public.
Officials have proposed a 40-acre redevelopment project that includes the former plant site as well as several other properties stretching from Sampson Street to the Shenango River.
Early this year the county planning commission and the redevelopment authority each approved the redevelopment proposal, which identifies specific parcels that could be acquired to form the commerce park.
The county commissioners approved the proposal after its wording was revised to specify the authority may, but does not have to, purchase any specific properties associated with the project or the site.