United Liberty
Pfizer abandons site of infamous property rights case
Mon, 11/09/2009 - 7:25pm | posted by Jason Pye
One of the worst decisions by the Supreme Court, at least in recent memory, was Kelo v. New London. This decison redefined the Takings Clause of the Fifth Amendment, allowing local governments to use eminent domain to take private property for private use or economic development.
The City of New London used eminent domain to essentially steal the land of Susette Kelo and a few of her neighbors in the Fort Trumbull area of the city to build for Pfizer to build a new complex.
The site where the homes sat has been vacant for four years, with no signs of looming development. Today, news broke that Pfizer is abandoned the city, and will now consider selling or leasing the land.
If you want some background, you can watch Ms. Kelo tell her story:
H/T: Washington Examiner
The City of New London messed up just like many other cities and towns across America. They thought the giant Pfizer was going to bring them huge amounts of money and now since the economy has gone sour then they have decided to back out leaving the city high and dry. This couldn’t have happened to a nicer crowd. Eminent Domain being used to buy land that is not of an immediate need to the city or county is always wrong. It really shouldn’t be used at all because there should be ways to work out details where eminent domain doesn’t have to be used.
Post new comment