North Liberty to use eminent domain for new park

North Liberty City Council recently unanimously approved a resolution to acquire land east of North Jones Blvd. using eminent domain to create a community park. Council members at the meeting said no progess had been made with the land owners, Meade Family Limited Real Estate Partnership, leaving them no choice but to utilize eminent domain to complete the transaction and build out North Side Community Park. "This isn't something we take lightly," said council member Brent Smith. "It has not progressed at all due to the dynamic of the owners. It has been lack of movement, lack of communication on their part that I feel has moved the council to be in this position." The land was appraised at $2.52 million. North Liberty began negotiating deals with property owners to acquire land for a fire station and community park in July. In November, an attorney for the Meade family told city council that the family doesn’t think the land is a good fit for the park, asking city council to evaluate other sites, as reported by The Gazette. The family believed their land would be better utilized for commercial purposes. The March 28 resolution was required by state law in order to proceed with acquisition of the property.