According to an article in the Chicago Tribune about the Grain Belt Express Clean line, wind energy from Iowa and Kansas could help eastern states meet their renewable energy goals.  Illinois has the goal of deriving 25% of its energy from renewable sources by 2025.  However, the same energy lines…

Grain Belt Express Clean Line has finalized its proposed route for its electric transmission line.  In Missouri, the route is proposed to go through Buchanan County, Clinton County, Caldwell County, Carroll County, Chariton County, Randolph County, Monroe County and Ralls County.  The proposed direct current transmission lines beginning in Spearville,…

A hearing has been set in the Cole County Circuit Court to hear arguments regarding a 2012 lawsuit file by Ameren Illinois against the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC).  The lawsuit asks the court to rule that the PSC has no jurisdiction over Ameren’s proposed 345,000 volt powerline through northeast…

A three-mile long section of U.S. 60 near Rogersville, east of Springfield, will be converted into a freeway between Greene County Farm Road 241 and west of Chicory Road. Some outer roads may also be built as funding allows. This will be a design-build project contracted out by Missouri Department…

Grain Belt Express Clean Line has finalized its proposed route for its electric transmission line.  In Missouri, the route is proposed to go through Buchanan County, Clinton County, Caldwell County, Carroll County, Chariton County, Randolph County, Monroe County and Ralls County.  The proposed direct current transmission lines beginning in Spearville,…

The City of St. Charles is widening and improving Fifth Street, adding an arch and planted sidewalks, and medians. The project will improve safety for vehicles and pedestrians, and will improve aesthetics of Fifth Street from I-70 to Washington Street.  

Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois plans to build a 345 kv electric transmission line from Palmyra to the Iowa border in northeast Missouri, and a new substation in Kirksville.  There will be a slight increase in rates for Ameren customers, but Ameren claims that benefits will be construction jobs, access…

Landowners from northeastern Missouri gathered to discuss Ameren’s “Mark Twain Transmission Project.”  The project calls for 345kv line from Hannibal to Kirksville and eventually up to Iowa.  Residents near the proposed project are concerned about issues such as health and property values.  The group is planning future meetings.  As with…

The federal wind production tax credit had spurred the growth of more than 12,000 megawatts of new wind power in 2012.  However, the lack of the tax credit in 2014 has stalled the industry.  This year, a coalition of Republicans and conservative Democrats, many backed by the fossil fuel industry,…

Missouri voters rejected a proposed tax increase to fund road buildings and repairs on the August 5, 2014, election, but Missouri as well as states throughout the U.S. are facing the challenge of how to maintain and upgrade their road infrastructure in the face of congressional stalemate of the federal…

St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley recommended blighting Jamestown Mall in Florissant to enable the vacant mall site to become redeveloped as mixed use.  Proposed new uses would be housing offices, and retail buildings.  For more information, see story at http://flcas.findlaw.com/auth.jsp?tk=9x739KsnpwB5GyDFKOEIjDZFd9ugepat&app=3021&r=2  

Recent health reports find that exposure to ELF’s (“Extremely Low Frequency”) and EMF’s (“Electro-motive Force”) can lead to increased cancer rates, especially in children.  These findings are being reviewed by persons in the pathway of the Grain Belt Express Clean Line, a proposed direct current transmission line project from wind…

The County Commissioners of Randolph County, Missouri, have signed a resolution expressing their support for the Grain Belt Express electric transmission line.  Read the resolution and more about the Grain Belt Express here:  http://www.moberlymonitor.com/article/20140508/NEWS/140508900/10054/NEWS#NEWS/?Start=1&_suid=140053018845202984768864265449  

The East Locust Creek Reservoir project in north central Missouri near Milan, in Sullivan County, is moving forward.  According to a news story, 79% of the land needed for acquisition has been purchased.  Read more at:  http://www.heartlandconnection.com/news/story.aspx?id=1039957  

The 750-mile long prposed Grain Belt Express Clean Line is causing controversy in affected counties, including Randolph County, Missouri.  Many landowners oppose having their land taken by eminent domain, and some will have their property cut in half by the electric line easement, but a company spokesman for Clean Line…

The president of Clean Line Energy Partners visited northwestern Missouri to promote the Grain Belt Express electric transmission line project, which would carry electricity generated by wind farms in Kansas to locations in the eastern U.S.  Read more here:  http://www.newspressnow.com/news/local_news/article_6d2ac19e-1c93-594d-b559-06820b8fd291.html  

This letter to the editor offers an overview of reasons as to why landowners are opposed to the Grain Belt Express DC electric transmission line.  Read more at:  http://www.themaneater.com/stories/2014/4/10/missouri-doesnt-need-clean-line/.  

Element Power, an energy company located in Portland, Oregon (website:  http://www.elpower.com/) has proposed to build a wind farm, named Mill Creek Wind Farm, that will generate 200 megawatts of electricity.  The wind farm would be located near Oregon, Missouri, in Holt County, which is in northwestern Missouri.    The power would…

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has released the final $2 million for the East Locust Creek Reservoir Project.  The reservoir will serve 10 counties in northeast Missouri, providing drinking water.  The North Central Missouri Regional Water Commission will now need to acquire the property needed for the reservoir, and could use…

The route in northern Arkansas for the 345kv electric transmission line to be built by Southwestern Electric Power Company (“SWEPCO”) has been approved.  To read more, see:  http://www.lovelycitizen.com/story/2043645.html .  

More than 400 residents of Randolph County, Missouri, signed a petition to oppose the Grain Belt Express high-power transmission line.  The petition was presented to the Randolph County Commission, but the Commission did not rescind its support for the line.  Commissioners believe that the Grain Belt Express Clean Line could…

The Grain Belt Express Clean Line project received approval in early May 2014 from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).  Read more at:  http://kansasfirstnews.com/2014/05/11/grain-belt-express-receives-approval-from-federal-commission/.

Missouri Representative Dr. Jim Neely, R-Cameron, has filed a bill seeking to change state law concerning eminent domain powers exercised by utilities.  This could affect the ability of Clean Line Energy Partners to build the Grain Belt Express Clean Line. Mr. Robert Denlow of Denlow & Henry testified before the…

Missouri Farm Bureau’s board of directors has voted to oppose granting the use of eminent domain to the Grain Belt Express “Clean Line.”  Read more here:  http://www.hpj.com/archives/2014/apr14/apr28/0418GrainBeltExpressdb.cfm.  

Clean Energy Partners has announced and published the “final” route of the proposed Grain Belt Express Powerline through Missouri.  Eight Missouri counties are affected:  Buchanan, Clinton, Caldwell, Carroll, Chariton, Randolph, Monroe and Ralls. The controversial transmission line project is designed to moved so-called “clean” energy gernerated by windmills in the plains to…

Clean Line Energy, plans to build the Grain Belt Express Clean Line, a 750-mile long high-voltage direct-current overhead transmission line, to carry electricity generated by wind-powered generators in Kansas to the East Coast.  The company says it will cost about $2.2 billion to build the transmission line.  Of that $2.2…

Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois plans to build a 345 kv electric transmission line from Palmyra to the Iowa border in northeast Missouri, and a new substation in Kirksville.  There will be a slight increase in rates for Ameren customers, but Ameren claims that benefits will be construction jobs, access…

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) recently announced a new project in Rogersville, Missouri. The new road would connect Highway B with Greene County Farm Road 253 on the west side of Rogersville, and would encompass properties in both Greene County and Webster County. The project includes building a railroad…

The Grain Belt Express Clean Line, an approximately 750-mile long proposed high-voltage, direct current transmission line that will transmit wind energy from Kansas to the east coast, has encountered opposition from landowners, who have formed a group called “Block Grain Belt Express.” Marion County, Missouri has also declared official opposition…

The Owners’ Counsel of America, a nationwide network of eminent domain attorneys dedicated to representing property owners, have elected two new members to their Board of Directors. OCA North Carolina member, George B. Autry, Jr., a partner based in the Raleigh office of Cranfill, Sumner & Hartzog, LLP, and Michigan…

Grain Belt Express Clean Line has finalized its proposed route for its electric transmission line.  In Missouri, the route is proposed to go through Buchanan County, Clinton County, Caldwell County, Carroll County, Chariton County, Randolph County, Monroe County and Ralls County.  The proposed direct current transmission lines beginning in Spearville,…

The American Civil Liberties Union has sued the Federal Housing Finance Agency, asking it to disclose efforts to stop municipalities from using eminent domain to bail out underwater homeowners and make its dealings with the financial industry more transparent. The ACLU, Center for Popular Democracy and other nonprofits filed a…

Earlier this year, an Arkansas public service judge moved the Southwestern Electric Power Company’s plan to construct a 345kv regional power line through Missouri just north of the Arkansas border.  The route may effect parts of Barry and McDonald Counties in Southwest Missouri.  The project would include the acquisition of right of way easements…

MoDOT is in the final months of conducting a study on improving I-270 North from the intersection of I-70 and the Chain of Rock Bridge, which is a about 15 miles in length and encompasses approximately 16 interchanges. The entrance and exit ramps at Dunn Road, that require crossing oncoming…

A federal judge in Kansas City, Kan., has ruled against the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas in its suit against a water district. In a decision rendered by Judge Carlos Murguia on December 20, 2013, in in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas in Kansas City, the Kickapoo…

City of North Kansas City, Missouri v. K.C. Beaton Holding Company, WD76068 and WD76110 (Mo. Court of Appeals, Western District) January 14, 2014 opinion The Missouri Court of Appeals upheld a dismissal of an eminent domain action against a Burger King in North Kansas City, Missouri. The City attempted to blight…

Denlow & Henry will be holding an informational meeting for property owners affected by the Ameren Lutesville – Heritage Transmission Line on October 9, 2013, in the Missouri Room of the Drury Lodge in Cape Girardeau at 6:00 p.m.  

Ameren, a Missouri electirc utility company, is moving forward to build a new 345,000-volt transmission line in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri between the existing Lutesville substation located off State Highway U and the new Heritage substation that will be located off State Highway K west of the City of Cape Girardeau….

Missouri Highway and Transportation (MoDOT) is planning road improvement to Route 50 in Jefferson City, Missouri.  The changes to Route 50, also known as Witton Expressway, may include a new diamond interchange, additional lanes and bridge replacement.  The interchange and additional lanes will help relieve congestion and improve safety between the expressway…

Paul Henry will discuss eminent domian issues at the upcoming legal seminar on “Missouri Land Rights and Restrictions.” The program is set for June 17, 2009 at the Crowne Plaza in Clayton, Missouri. Among the topics that may be discussed include: Understanding eminent domain powers Understanding the condemnation process Exploring…

Several property owners represented by Denlow & Henry successfully contested and fought an eminent domain condemnation case filed by Kansas City Power & Light (“KCP&L”) in Platte County, Missouri in connection with the Iatan-Nashua transmission project.  KCP&L, a public utility, filed its condemnation petition against numerous property owners in Platte County…

A new bridge is being designed to replace the existing Route 47 bridge over the Missouri River just north of Washington, Missouri, linking Franklin County to Warren County. The project is in partnership with Missouri Highway Department (MoDOT), the City of Washington, and Franklin and Warren Counties. The new bridge…

MoDOT is planning a new interchange at I-55 and Route PP at Scott City in Scott County. The proposed interchange would provide access to south Scott City, and access from I-55 to Kelso. The new interchange will also relieve congestion at the I-55/K/M/Route 61 interchange. The two alternative designs for…

The Missouri Supreme Court unanimously upheld the constitutionality of Missouri’s Heritage Value Statute that awards certain property owners a 50% increase over the fair market value of their property when taken by eminent domain. The case arose from a trial at the St. Louis County Courthouse in December 2011 that resulted…

The Missouri Supreme Court blocked the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority from using eminent domain to expand its operations base on a 2006 Missouri law that prohibits governmental entities from using eminent domain “solely” for economic development purposes. The port attempted to use eminent domain to acquire 30 acres of…

KCP&L (Kansas City Power & Light) is currently acquiring property for a new 345-kv electric transmission line from the Sibley, Missouri substation to Nebraska City, Nebraska. A new Mullin Creek substation is planned for south of Maryville, Missouri. The new overhead transmission line will be approximately 180 miles long, and…

A California raisin farmer is standing up the the U.S. government against its practice of seizing a portion of his annual crop under a law that dates back to the Great Depression. The farmer faces as much as $650,000 in fines alone for his refusal to turn over his crops…

MoDOT is planning to improve Route 160 in Butler County and Ripley County. The improved Route 160 will include alternating passing lanes which include shoulders on Route 160 from Route JJ to Route 67. The project length is approximately 11 miles.

In a New York Times Editorial, a Yale Professor has advocated the use of eminent domain as a means of eliminating “underwater” mortgages. His article states that some form of collective action must be taken by holders of these mortgages to write them down so that homeowners will again owe less…

MoDOT is proposing improvements along Route 63 at the Liberty/Peterson Lane interchange and at the Route Y/M interchange. The project includes adding a J-turn on Route 63 just south of Peterson Lane, eliminating existing median crossovers at Liberty and Peterson Lanes, and installing roundabouts on Route M/Y at the Route…

The Missouri Supreme Court blocked the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority from using eminent domain to expand its operations base on a 2006 Missouri law that prohibits governmental entities from using eminent domain “solely” for economic development purposes. The port attempted to use eminent domain to acquire 30 acres of…

The City of Kirkwood, in St. Louis County, Missouri, is considering redevelopment proposals for the intersection of Manchester Road and Lindbergh Boulevard (North Kirkwood Road), called the “north gateway” to Kirkwood. The redevelopment site is approximately twelve acres, and is bounded approximately by Manchester on the north and Wilson Avenue…

The principals of Denlow & Henry are scheduled to speak at seminars in St. Louis and Springfield, Missouri. The seminars are geared to educate attorneys and other professionals about the strategies and procedures of Missouri Eminent Domain law. The programs are sponsored by the National Business Institute. The Springfield seminar…

MoDOT is proposing improvements to the intersection of Township Line Road and Route PP in Poplar Bluff, which will include the construction of a roundabout. MoDOT is also proposing improvements to the Route 67 crossover at Township Line Road.  

Recently, Robert Denlow of the St. Louis Eminent Domain law firm, Denlow & Henry was interviewed by Lee Presser on the topic of eminent domain law. Watch the interviewHERE on YOUTUBE  

The City of Brentwood is planning to improve Litzsinger Road. This federally-funded project consists of milling and overlay of the road surface, improving it with curbs and gutters, and acquiring property for adding a sidewalk for pedestrian improvements. If you are facing the prospect of losing some or all of…

In a joint victory in favor of free speech AND against eminent domain abuses, a the U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals has back a St. Louis man’s right to maintain a sign that objects to eminent domain abuses. Located in St. Louis on the side of a building, the…

KCP&L (Kansas City Power & Light) is planning a new 345-kv electric transmission line from the Sibley, Missouri substation to Nebraska City, Nebraska. A new Mullin Creek substation is planned for south of Maryville, Missouri. The new overhead transmission line will be approximately 180 miles long, and is expected to…

U.S. Representative Russ Carnahan (D-MO) recently issued a press release calling out the City of Richmond Heights for its continued efforts to develop the Hadley Heights neighborhood: “As Representative of the 3rd Congressional District in Missouri, I am disappointed that Richmond Heights is continuing its decade-long effort to destroy a…

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) saved thousands of homes around Lake of the Ozarks when it excluded them from a shoreline preservation project. The project initially included thousands of properties around the heavily developed Lake and recreation area. Controversy over the project and possible negative impacts on property values…

St. Louis County, Missouri is preparing a study to improve Shackelford Road from Humes Lane to Charbonier Road for the purpose of reducing accidents by widening Shackelford from four to five lanes.  If additional right of way is needed for the improvements, St. Louis County has the option to use eminent domain to acquire…

MoDOT Director Kevin Keith told state lawmakers that rapidly increasing amounts of traffic on I-70 could turn the interstate into a “graveled parking lot” within 15 years if the highway is not widened and repaved to make it safer and ease congestion. Costs for the improvements range from $2 billion…

St. Louis County is studying the area near Laclede Station Road and Highway 44 and nearby area for the purpose of creating a new road plan to reduce traffic congestion. The County recently completed its draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and is taking public comments before the final route is…

The Enbridge pipeline will cross 11 Missouri counties to connect the tar sands fuel pipeline from Flanagan, Illinois(about 100 miles southwest of Chicago) to Cushing, Oklahoma. Much of this pipeline, referred to as the “Flanagan South” pipeline, will be constructed parallel to the existing Enbridge crude oil pipeline right of…

St. Louis County Associate Circuit judge Ellen Ribaudo entered Judgment awarding a family $2.1 million as damages for the taking of their property through eminent domain. The St. Louis County family had owned their 15 acres of land on the eastern edge of Chesterfield since it was purchased by the…

The residents of Hadley Township once again are dealing with the prospect of eminent domain, as the City of Richmond Heights tries to redevelop the area. The site is 40 acres, and Richmond Heights wants to redevelop it with retail. Pace Properties and Menard Inc. are potential developers of the area….

The City of Richmond Heights is challenging the Missouri statutes that created Heritage Value and Homestead Value in eminent domain cases. In 2006, the Missouri legislature reformed eminent domain laws in a reaction against abuses by developers that were given eminent domain powers. Heritage value is awarded in some cases…

The Pacific Legal Foundation is bringing the case of an Idaho couple to the Supreme Court this month seeking review of an EPA decision to stop the couple from building a home on a lot due to wetlands designation. Lower courts have insisted that the couple undergo what is generally…

Varnish Fine Art in San Francisco will be the location of an “Eminent Domain Awareness Show” on Friday June 5th, 2009. According to its press release, a local agency, “is eliminating 33 small, local businesses, including Varnish Fine Art, and numerous residences in order to demolish all properties and later…

90 miles of rail lines between Alton and Lincoln in Illinois are being upgraded as the initial step of high speed rail between St. Louis and Chicago. Second phase will be from Alton to Springfield and a third stage from Springfield to Lincoln.  

“Thirteen years after the city began planning a massive business park in the Mississippi River flood plain, a long-awaited trial on an environmental group’s challenge of a related tax subsidy is set to begin Monday. The recession has hindered efforts to attract tenants to the Premier 370 Business Park but…

Jefferson County will be upgrading a number of bridges, including: the Mapaville Hematite Road bridge over Little Creek; the Old Antonia Road bridge over a tributary of Rock Creek; the Schneider Drive bridge over Sugar Creek; the Whitehead bridge over a tributary to Cotter Creek; the Wilson Hollow Road bridge…

Jefferson County is improving Vogel Road from Vogel Circle to Old Lemay Ferry Road. The improvements include regrading and realignment. The realignment will prepare for the future roundabout at Old Lemay Ferry Road.  

Kansas City Power & Light project in Platte County commonly known as “Segment 62″ is a controversial project. This project involves a 345kv transmission line, and is designed to meet increased demand for electricity for KCP&L in the region.  

A gas pipeline is crossing Benton, Morgan, Camden, and Miller Counties. The gas pipeline is being installed by Summit Natural Gas. See map below for location.

MoDOT is planning to make Route A safer from Chamber Drive in Washington to just north of Independence Drive in Union by adding shoulders and realigning some portions of Route A.  

The City of Wentzville has requested that MoDOT cooperate in accelerating the building of the David Hoekel Parkway, which will link Highway 61 with Highway 70, providing a new connection. Beginning just south of I-70 at Pointe Prairie Road and Jackson Road, the parkway would pass north and east through…

Improvements to the Highway 61 Interchange at Highway P are planned and some other improvements in the area are being planned in a cooperative project by MoDOT, St. Charles County, and the City of Wentzville. There will be a grade-separated interchange on Highway 61 near Highway P and Peine road….

The City of St. Joseph is constructing a wastewater processing project called the Eastside Wastewater Improvement Project. The project entails a new pump station near Candy Creek to replace an undersized pump station currently on Easton Road. The Faraon Street pump station will also be improved. The project will affect…

The City of Lake Saint Louis is studying the feasibility of extending the South Outer Road of I-64 to Hawk Ridge Trail Drive.

MoDOT is planning a reconstruction of the Poplar Street Bridge interchange / ramps, which need to be replaced for safety and congestion reasons. The ramps on the Poplar Street Bridge may be reconfigured as well.  

MoDOT approved $1,300,000 to go toward the expansion of the Farmington Regional Airport in the 2018 Transportation Improvement Plan. The regional airport is located in St. Francois County.  

In April 2012, a judge approved the settlement of a federal lawsuit against the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District. The settlement requires MSD to come into compliance with federal clean water standards, which will required MSD to spend a minimum of $4.7 billion over the next 23 years to upgrade…

MoDOT will be improving Highway 34 in Bollinger and Cape Girardeau Counties. The project will span approximately 15 miles, and includes resurfacing, widening and paving road shoulders, and improving side slopes.  

MoDOT is relocating the intersection at Dulin Creek Road and Route MM/W to make it safer. In addition to relocating the intersection, there will be a new connection to Dulin Creek Road at the Raetta/Wild Cherry crossover, and additional left turn lanes.  

Ameren has gotten approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to proceed with its Mark Twain transmission line project. This new transmission line will span approximately 90 miles from Adair, Missouri to Palmyra, Missouri.  

Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District is planning on constructing a sanitary relief sewer, called the Gravois Trunk project, in the South County area of St. Louis. This is part of the long-range upgrading of the St. Louis sewer system that has been mandated by the Courts.  

MoDOT and the Boonslick Regional Planning Commission are planning on removing the low-clearance railroad bridge on Highway 19 near New Florence and constructing a new overpass. The new overpass across the railroad trestle will increase safety for I-70 travelers wanting to access the Montgomery County area.  

The Johnson County Gateway project in Johnson County, Kansas, is a road project by KDOT in cooperation with Lenexa, Olathe, Overland Park, Johnson County, and the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) to improve the I-435 / I-35 / K-10 corridor. The goal is to ease congestion and improve the interchanges. Side streets of…

A new railroad overpass is being built on Greene County Route 125 over over Greene County Route D by Missouri Department of Transportation. MoDOT will have the power to use eminent domain for this project.  [Click here](/Eminent-Domain-Information/Highway-and-Road-Issues.html) for more information on road projects and eminent domain.

MoDOT will be improving Route 47 south of Warrenton in the area known as “Hopewell Hill,” which is between south of Route CC to north of Route N.  

Writing in the Kansas Journal of Law and Public Policy, a University of Missouri Professor has advocated the use of tolls to rebuild Missouri Roads. His argument is partly that Missouri’s tradition of free roads is based on an outdated 1939 study. See Article  

MoDOT is planning to widen Route 109 in West St. Louis County from Route 100 to Clayton Road. Route 109 will be widened to four lanes in this section, and will have a walled median, and a roundabout to make traffic flow safer and more efficient.  

The City of O’Fallon is studying improving Elaine Drive from West Terra to the railroad. Improvements being considered include center turn lanes, sidewalks, and enclosed drainage.

KCP&L (Kansas City Power & Light) is planning a new 345-kv electric transmission line from the Sibley, Missouri substation to Nebraska City, Nebraska. A new Mullin Creek substation is planned for south of Maryville, Missouri. The new overhead transmission line will be approximately 180 miles long, and is expected to…

The City of O’Fallon Highway 79/Highway P Corridor Study is looking at traffic patterns and evaluating possibilities for creating a new road to connect Highway 79 to Highway P across northern O’Fallon.  

Eagan, Minnesota’s plans for its downtown hit a road block when the Minnesota Court of Appeals halted its attempts to acquire several businesses by eminent domai. The Court held that the authority to condemn was improper due to the lack of a “binding development agreement.” The city has condemned condemned…

MoDOT and the City of Peculiar will build a new interchange on I-49 and 211thStreet, School Road and Peculiar Drive. This will add a second major highway access for the city, and provide a direct route to the Raymore-Peculiar School campus. The new interchange will also accommodate bicycle and pedestrian…

The City of Lee’s Summit, Missouri is improving Jefferson Street from Stuart Road to Persels Road. The improvements include widening and reconstructiong Jefferson Street as a three-lane road from Persels Road to Scherer Road. From Scherer road to Persels Road, Jefferson Street will be two lanes. Eminent domain can be…

St. Louis County will improve Old State Road from Pierside to Old State Spur, and will realign the intersection with Ridge Road.

NATO officials are finding it difficult compensating Afghan property owners for damage caused during the conflict: “But as word spread, military units found themselves overwhelmed with hundreds of people claiming compensation for damage, some of it done long before the recent fighting. ‘We are victims of our own success,’ Lt….

St. Charles County Highway Department is planning to extend Deer Creek Drive, which will include a new bridge over Peruque Creek connecting Deer Creek Drive and Elaine Drive. This extension of Deer Creek Drive will provide a new two-lane roadway from Route P to West Terra Lane.  

“Opponents of Paul McKee’s plans for north St. Louis who persuaded a judge to block the project last year now are trying to prevent him from getting millions of dollars in state tax credits. At issue is whether state law allows the credits to be issued to McKee’s Northside Regeneration…

Kansas City Power & Light project in Platte County commonly known as “Segment 62″ is a controversial project. This project involves a 345kv transmission line, and is designed to meet increased demand for electricity for KCP&L in the region.

Kansas City Power and Light (KCPL) is planning on constructing a new power transmission line from the Nashua power station to the Iatan power station, spanning approximately 30 to 40 miles in length. This power station will help supply electricity to customers in Platte County.

The city of Lee’s Summit is moving forward with plans to make improvements of Jefferson Street, from Stuart Rd to Persels Rd. Construction is estimated to take start around Apr 2014. Right of way acquisition will occur sometime in 2013. The $9,714,000 project is funded by the 1/2 cent sales…

The City of O’Fallon is improving Bryan Road at its intersections with Mexico Road, Feise Road, and Winghaven Blvd. at Hwy N.

MoDOT is planning replace the existing interchange with a new “diverging diamond” style in Harrisonville, Mo. The project will be in two Phases through 2015. The improvements will include changes to Route 291 and Commercial Streets in Harrisonville, including the installation some raised medians which may have a negative impact on…

The City of Columbia is proposing improvements to Forum Boulevard from Katy Lane to Green Meadows Road. The proposed improvements are planned in two phases. The first phase has been approved the City Council.  

St. Louis County, in cooperation with MoDOT, is studying the possibility of creating a Northwest Parkway to provide more efficient commuting from Shackelford Road in North St. Louis County to the Earth City Expressway and Riverport Areas.

MoDOT is studying how to improve a 47-mile stretch of US Route 63 through Phelps, Osage, and Maries counties, from the US Route 50/63 junction in Osage County to Rolla.  

The City of Oak Grove and MoDOT are working together to widen Highway F for this $10 million project. MoDOT is providing approximately $4.5 million of the funding, with the City of Oak Grove providing the balance.  

Robert Denlow, principal of Denlow & Henry, will speak at the upcoming American Law Institute and American Bar Association conference on Eminent Domain and Land Valuation. “This popular and long running advanced course of study kicks off with a comprehensive update on eminent domain case law and legislation by a…

After his NorthSide redevelopment plan was rejected by a St. Louis Circuit Judge, Paul McKee’s attorneys asked for a new hearing to present additional evidence. That request was denied.  

MoDOT, the City of Kansas City and the City of Liberty are planning to construct an overpass over I-35 in Clay County from North East Flintlock to Liberty Drive. The overpass will be safer than the current highway crossing.  

The City of Sunset Hills in agreement with MoDOT will be improving Kennerly Road by resurfacing, widening, and re-aligning part of the road. Also planned are a sidewalk and storm sewer improvements. The project is 1.4 miles long, from Weber Hill Road to near the Sappington Road intersection.  

MoDOT is planning a new bridge over the Missouri River on Westbound Interstate 64/US Route 40. The project will replace the existing westbound Daniel Boone Bridge.

As reported by the St. Louis Post and KMOX.com, just compensation has finally been paid to St. Louis property owner Bill Simon for the full block of commercial property he owned in the Bottle District of downtown St. Louis. In 2005, the Land Clearance and Redevelopment Authority (LCRA) seized Mr. Simon’s land by…

The Rex Whitton Expressway would improve travel on the US Route 50/63 corridor from just east of the US Route 50/54/63 interchange to Eastland Drive.

The Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission (MoDOT) is building what is commonly referred to as the Page Avenue Extension in St. Charles County (Route 364). It involves various sections which are built, being built, or are still to be built. The remaining stretch of the Page Avenue Extension to be…

While the new “Page Olive” connector expressway being constructed by St. Louis County still does not have a name to it, those who live along this future highway seem to agree that it will be loud. However, there are no plans to construct any form of sound barriers along this…

The ongoing refusal by the City of Louis to honor a $2.2 Million judgment reached national news, as Robert Denlow and the property owner was interviewed during Fox News’ “Fox & Friends” show on May 26. The judgment was entered in 2008, when a jury awarded Denlow & Henry’s client…

Possible improvements to Highway 47 from Washington to St. Clair in Franklin County are being studied, including possible widening and increased speed limits.

A cooperative group of the City of Kansas City, the City of Lee’s Summit, Jackson County, Mid-America Regional Council and MoDOT has been studying improving Lee’s Summit Road between Highway 40 and I-470.  

While the new “Page Olive” connector expressway being constructed by St. Louis County still does not have a name to it, those who live along this future highway seem to agree that it will be loud. However, there are no plans to construct any form of sound barriers along this…

In 2008, a jury awarded Denlow & Henry’s client $2.9 million for property taken by the City of St. Louis on behalf of a developer. After crediting the City for what it already paid, the owner was entitled to $1.9 million more. The City appealed. After years of appeals, the…

MoDOT is considering a value engineering study on US Route 54 from Mexico, Missouri to Louisiana, Missouri. The approximately 48-mile stretch of road proposed would be a four-lane expressway.  

Listen to Robert Denlow’s interview on KMOX regarding Eminent Domain abuses. KMOX interviewed Robert Denlow when Denlow & Henry, on behalf of a former owner of property located in the Bottle District Area, initiated collection proceedings against The City of St. Louis for a jury award made in July 2008….

MoDOT is planning an expressway in Marion and Ralls Counties to go around the City of Hannibal. The expressway will be about ten miles long.

MoDOT is planning an interchange at South Lincoln Drive in Troy featuring three roundabouts and an outer road.

Jackson County and the City of Kansas City are cooperating on a project to improve 135th Street from M-150 to Holmes. Planned improvements include a center turn lane from the Washington/Inverness intersection to Oak Street, and also sidewalks, various intersection improvements, and improved drainage.  

A new interchange off Highway 40/Interstate 64 at Tower Grove in St. Louis City is being planned by a joint agreement between MoDOT and BJC Healthcare. The new roadway will include an eastbound exit off Tower Grove Avenue, and a lengthened ramp for westbound traffic exiting the highway at Boyle….

Owners’ Counsel of America (OCA) honored two journalists in 2010 with the Crystal Eagle Award for journalism and effort to be critical and objective, specifically with respect to their investigative reportage and balanced analysis regarding the government’s use of eminent domain. Annually, OCA identifies individuals who have made a substantial…

MoDOT, the City of Springfield Greene County and BNSF Railway are working together to build a railroad overpass on Chestnut Expressway west of U.S. 65. Also, a new traffic signal will be installed at Chestnut Expressway and Ingram Mill Road.  This [Road Project](/Eminent-Domain-Information/Highway-and-Road-Issues.shtml) is scheduled for construction beginning in 2016….

St. Louis County is widening Hanley Road from two driving lanes in each direction to three driving lanes in each direction. This project involves the realignment of Hanley as it crosses Manchester Road in Maplewood.  

The City of Lee’s Summit will extend Blackwell Road across Highway 50 and build a diamond interchange, as well as construct Blue Parkway to Blackwell Road and Oldham Parkway to Smart Road, with an intersection at Blackwell Road. MoDOT, City of Lake Lottawanna and Jackson County are supporting agencies.  …

Highway 5 in the Village of Sunrise Beach will be widened for about one mile to add a 12-foot center turn lane, and will create two 12-foot driving lanes from Singing Oaks Road to Jet Ski Road. This is a cooperative effort between MoDOT and the Village of Sunrise Beach….

The City of Columbia, along with MoDOT and Boone County, are studying a proposed interchange of I-70 with Scott Boulevard in western Columbia. Scott Boulevard would need to be extended from West Broadway to Route E to connect with the proposed interchange.  

This project involves building a full-access interchange at Scudder Road and I-170 in north St. Louis County.

“Aaron Doll believes the Joplin School District may soon begin condemnation proceedings to acquire three lots he owns near the high school. *** District officials have said moving the high school, which also was destroyed May 22, to the south and west would take it out of the a flood…

The Oklahoma City Council voted nearly unanimously to blight a massive 692 acre area south of downtown. The City hopes to develop the area into, among other things, a downtown park and convention center. The project may use eminent domain powers to acquire residential and commercial properties. At least one…

Information on this project is updated here. The City of Columbia’s utility department, Columbia Water & Light, is planning a new electric power transmission line to serve the growing needs of the City. Two options have been proposed, Option A and Option B, both in the southwestern area of the…

The City of Blue Springs is improving the Woods Chapel Road Corridor from the I-70 interchange south, at Valley View Road, and to Briarwood/Castle Drives.

Baumgartner Road is being realigned for about one-half mile from Fireleaf Drive to Blackforest Drive. See map below.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has completed the First Tier Environmental Impact Statement for proposed improvements to I-70 for the Kansas City Metro Project. The proposed project area spans approximately 18 miles, and extends from the Missouri-Kansas state line to east of the I-470 interchange, and includes the entire Kansas…

The effort by the National Park Service to establish a memorial for the victims of the 9/11 crash of Flight 93 in Pennsylvania. The plans are to creat a 2,200 acre memorial and park. The looming 10th anniversary of the tragedy is apparently pushing the project to get completed. Controversy…

Christian County, in partnership with the Ozark Special Road District, and the cities of Fremont Hills, Nixa, and Ozark, are planning to develop a roadway alignment plan of Route CC-J-NN from Highway NN at Pheasant Road in Ozark to Highway CC at Main Street in Nixa. The project will cover…

MoDOT and the City of Columbia will be working together to widen Stadium Boulevard from the North Outer Road of I-70 to south of Broadway, as well as to modify the I-70 and Stadium Blvd. interchange.

The Texas Senate has approved sweeping eminent domain reform for the state that includes: Criteria for courts to follow to determine good faith negotiations. Creates a “Truth in Condemnation Procedures Act” which requires a bona fide offer in writing. Requires any condemnation procedure to be done in public and by…

Developer Paul McKee is redeveloping 400 acres in the City of St. Louis. The first phases of development are north of Downtown near the new Mississippi River Bridge being built and the western edge of Downtown near 22nd Street. The redevelopment area can be seen in the map below.

The Illinois Department of Transportation will be adding a lane in each direction on Route 3 in Waterloo, from North Market Street to Vandebrook Drive. The project will be 3.1 miles.

Intersection and roadway improvements to Route 40 and I-70 Interchange at Routes AA/BB in the City of Grain Valley. This includes relocating the north outer road from Jefferson Court to Sunny Lane Drive. These improvements will help accommodate increasing traffic volumes.

*UPDATE from Greene County: This project has been incorporated into the OTO’s major thoroughfare plan and earmarked as a future primary arterial. The consultant is currently in the process of evaluating the requirements and scope of work necessary to develop a detailed set of plans, they are not under contract…

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers blasted the Birds Point levee Monday, May 2 in an effort to lower river levels in Cairo. The tactic by the Corps means hundreds of thousands of acres of Missouri farmland and nearly a hundred homes were sacrificed. The price being paid by the…