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Judge Gives D.C. Government Land for New Stadium

WASHINGTON - A judge has granted the D.C. government possession of land for the new baseball stadium, clearing the way for construction to begin.

The ruling issued Friday by U.S. Superior Court Judge Joan Zeldon states that property owners must vacate their homes and businesses in less than three weeks -- no later than March 27th.

"The court is now satisfied that the District will proceed with the baseball stadium project and consequently will grant posession of parcels," says the order signed by the judge.

The decision clears the way for the District to secure bonds to finance the stadium complex. The D.C. Council has set a cap of $611 million for the project, which is to be built on the Anacostia waterfront.

Major League Baseball recently signed off on the lease agreement.

D.C. has seized titles to more than a dozen properties near the watefront, through eminent domain. Many property owners have rejected the city's financial offers for their homes and businesses -- and plan to keep fighting in the courts.

But city officials plan to start construction of the stadium in the coming months. It's scheduled to open in time for the Washington Nationals' 2008 season.

quote:

Many property owners have rejected the city's financial offers for their homes and businesses -- and plan to keep fighting in the courts.

I just hope we can ajudicate anything like this in Portland with a minimum of ill will, if such "eminent domain" becomes necessary. We're better off getting it all in one felled swoop.

Hopefully, the USPO, Blanchard, or MC land is government owned in total and there isn't a small parcel that is owned by a third party that asks for a price "way out of the ballpark".

BB