Durham Property Owners Wrestle w/ Tough Questions at Eminent Domain Seminar on East End Connector

DURHAM, N.C., Sept. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Questions by concerned citizens ranging from longtime homeowners to business people came fast and furious as the NC Eminent Domain Law Firm hosted an informational meeting regarding the NC Department of Transportation's massive and controversial East End Connector.

Last week's event at the Durham Convention Center drew a diverse crowd of property owners in the path of the $182 million project, deemed by the NCDOT to be one of its highest priorities.  Questions included:

* How will the value of my property be calculated?
* Do I have a say in how much my property is worth?
* Do I have to accept the NCDOT's first offer on my property?
* Do I have a say on how much of my property will be taken?
* My mother is in her 80s. Can I represent her interests to the NCDOT?
* When will landlords be contacted and what special issues face landlords?

Property owners generally voiced worries about the fairness of the process as seen in coverage by WRAL and WTVD.  Comments included:

* "My biggest concern is that they're not going to make an offer that will enable us to make the transition."
* "Just don't want to be put out in the cold."
* "I know they're going to go by tax value and tax value on property is not what the property is actually worth."

NC Eminent Domain Law Firm attorney Stan Abrams, a former litigator for the NC Department of Justice representing the state in eminent domain cases, led the session.

"The meeting brought to light the fact that many -- actually, most -- property owners do not fully understand their rights -- even though the process is getting underway," said Abrams. "Unprepared property owners may end up settling with the NCDOT for less than they should."

The Independent Weekly devoted a major story to concerns about the project, noting, "The highway, cloverleafs and ramps will carve up adjoining neighborhoods, which must endure noise, pollution and an indelibly altered community. And some owners worry that the Department of Transportation won't compensate them fairly."

About:

A division of the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, the NC Eminent Domain Law Firm is dedicated solely to representing property owners throughout North Carolina, who may be impacted by eminent domain law.  The NC Eminent Domain Law Firm is headed by attorney Stan Abrams.  Mr. Abrams has five years' experience working as an Assistant Attorney General for the North Carolina Department of Justice Transportation Section, where he litigated condemnation cases for the NCDOT. The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin has the legal resources of 31 attorneys and is based in Durham, North Carolina, with offices throughout the state to serve its clients.

Contact Information:
Stan Abrams
1-877-393-4990

NC Eminent Domain Law Firm
280 South Mangum Street, Suite 400
Durham, North Carolina 27701

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SOURCE NC Eminent Domain Law Firm