By Adam Studzinski
NORMAL – The Normal Town Council will vote Monday night on authorizing the town to enforce eminent domain if necessary for a small portion of property on Raab Road.
The town needs the land to successfully complete the improvements on Raab Road between Normal Community High School and Towanda Barnes Road.
“The amount of right-of-way that we need to improve that roadway and get the project does is less than half an acre,” Deputy City Manager Pamela Reece said.
The town has been unsuccessfully negotiating with the property owner, Weber Farms, since April.
“We’re hoping we don’t have to file eminent domain, but it does give us the authorization to do so,” said Reece. “Presuming council approves.”
Reece explained the town had the property appraised and made an offer reflecting the amount of the appraisal, but the property owners rejected the offer. She said Normal will likely wait until the end of the year before enforcing eminent domain.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at adam.studzinski@cumulus.com.
