Eminent Domain Essay

Eminent domain is a constitutional tool the government yields to help build a brighter future for its cities at the cost of individuals. The government's limited use of eminent domain is essential for local governments to maintain improving the quality of life for their residents. Eminent domain is essential in today's progressive culture to ensure the common good is attained and helping cities develop whether that is by a means of National sport stadiums or infrastructure.

1.
The power of eminent domain allows the federal government to fulfill its objective in serving the common good. The power of eminent domain originates from the fifth amendment of the US Constitution (realestate). The framers of the Constitution were opposed to principles

of tyranny after being subjective to Great Britain but understood that the government needed certain powers to serve the public good effectively. This conceptualized eminent domain for the government to take private property for public use with just compensation. These powers enable and encourage big thinking politicians to reshape cities they govern that can lead to more city growth and stimulate their local economy. (forbes sites georgleef)

Eminent domain can be classified as an uncomfortable legal principle that the majority of an electorate agrees but not specifically applied to them directly.

It is a concept of sacrificing one for the greater good. A common example would be to build interstate highways to fix the crumbling infrastructure of today. The infrastructure of a nation correlates and benefits its economy. The founders included eminent domain for local governments to potentially save millions of dollars for public use and potentially stimulate the economy. The rights of communities to develop and grow without threats of private property owners to take advantage are protected. Private property owners cannot cripple or hold hostage cities by making community development projects unattainable. Local bureaucrats have a local duty to serve their respective electorate, and eminent domain is one tool they have to accomplish their service for the common

good.

2.
George W.

Bush, a president who campaigned for private property rights in 1994, was an investor for the Global Life Park in Arlington for the Texas Rangers Baseball team. The city of Arlington used eminent domain to obtain 13 acres for the Rangers Ballpark in the 1990's. The initial $606,302 investment of George W. Bush transformed to $14.9 million. (ij.org) Two streets west of the Global Life Park in Arlington situates the AT&T Dallas Cowboys Stadium. Like its counterpart in Arlington, America's team had the city utilize eminent domain to obtain land for the necessary 134 acres needed to build one of the largest football stadiums. The city of Arlington performed a democratic act by being fully transparent on the project and turning to city voters on the issue of using eminent domain to build the Texas Rangers ballpark and later the Dallas Cowboys stadium. By accomplishing these feats in building two national stadiums, Arlington was able to achieve one primary objective, putting the city's profile on the national stage (Star telegram). The city of Arlington received national publicity by housing these two stadiums. Arlington has seen vast improvements and growth. Both stadiums have not only paid back their debts but provided an incalculable economic value. It is a hub for business year-round which has stimulated economic growth and development. The Dallas Cowboy's stadium project led to the improvement and expansion of the infrastructure nearby. Roads were paved and

repaired, and Highways were expanded. While the controversial issue of eminent domain does not have much to do with baseball or football, 10 other cities have used eminent domain for sports stadiums (IJ.org).
The city of Arlington Texas has paved a constitutional method for other cities to follow in the case of eminent domain.

3 counter: People get a fair value for what they asked

Some conservatives argue that local leaders bully low class by seizing their properties
(forbes sites georgleef). Local governments give landowners the right to reject and contest low offers. The US constitution protects a property owner's right to just compensation for condemned property. Adequate compensation is generally considered to be fair market value. Fair market value is the price a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller.

Other conservatives argue that If the government has to use eminent domain, it can mean that the project is not economically viable enough for private industry to invest.
Therefore, by spending tax dollars to purchase land through eminent domain, you do stimulate the economy but not as efficiently as if those tax dollars stayed in private industry. Yet, this cripples the government's power at the mercy of private ownership. In terms of the city of Arlington, eminent domain was essential in accomplishing the project, hence making this argument not fully applicable.

conclusion

If eminent domain was not a tool available to local government, individual private property owners could effectively restrict residents from the vast benefits associated with change and economic development. These private owners make their lands inaccessible to growth and maximizing their own well-being and not the greater good. Eminent domain provides a barrier to corporate and private greed. Eminent domain is essential for progression in communities. Local governments have a responsibility to provide economic growth and cultural prosperity for its community while safe guarding the rights for their respective citizens.