Time to move forward

Time to move forward

Eminent domain elicits a knee-jerk reaction from some people who see it as an unjustified intrusion of government on private property rights. There’s an inclination to see the property owner as David — noble and small — and government as Goliath — large, powerful and bad.

But eminent domain has always been a part of U.S. law, a carryover from English common law and a recognition that the collective interest of the people (that’s government) sometimes trumps an individual’s rights or privileges. As along as the government offers just compensation, the use of eminent domain to obtain private property from an obstreperous owner is appropriate.

Such is the case with the effort by the city of Youngstown and Youngstown State University to obtain a building being used as a warehouse by Joseph Grenga on West Rayen Avenue to clear the way for a $34 million campus expansion project.

Nothing extraordinary

The building has been referred to as a machine shop, but it has no electricity service, no employees and isn’t zoned to operate as such. It is a warehouse for machines that Grenga, the owner of Grenga Machine and Welding Co., has acquired over a number of years.

No jobs will be lost when the city takes ownership of the building and demolishes it. If Grenga, 80, has a business plan for expanding his operations, there would be no shortage of sites to which he could economically relocate.

There is no evidence that the city or the university is attempting to take advantage of Grenga. There is $205,000 in escrow for the purchase of the building, which is more than twice what Grenga paid for the 102-year-old structure at a sheriff’s sale just seven years ago. Grenga declined an opportunity to name one of three appraisers for the building as part of the legal process.

Prudence would dictate that if Grenga is interested in expanding his business that he accept a fair offer for the property and relocation expenses and find a suitable site. That could have been accomplished in less time than has been expended battling over a building that is standing in the way of progress for the city and the university.

If anyone is looking for a textbook example of why eminent domain is necessary, they can find it at 128 W. Rayen Ave.