With the warming weather of spring and summer approaching, Kentucky residents may be looking for the Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway. Unfortunately, eminent domain[1] claimed the speedway’s land, forcing the track to end their 2015 season early. The land which was claimed for a highway project, included approximately 36 acres, encompassed the racetrack’s pit area, maintenance building, ticket office and scales, rendering the racetrack’s utilities inoperable.
In 2014, the Commonwealth of Kentucky gave notice that its reconstruction of the I-24/Purchase Parkway Interchange for the I-69 corridor would take much of the real property used to operate the racetrack. After communicating with state officials, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet filed a condemnation lawsuit in Marshall Circuit Court to take the racetrack property by eminent domain in July 2014. On Monday, September 21, the Court granted the Commonwealth’s motion for an interlocutor order to take the land. Thereafter, the racetrack owners made the decision to close the racetrack.
Kentucky Eminent Domain
The University of Kentucky [2] Cooperative Extension Service describes eminent domain as the right of the Commonwealth to take land for a public purpose. The term “condemnation” is a process to take private property for a public purpose under the right of eminent domain.
Contact an Experienced Kentucky Condemnation Attorney for Assistance
Many people find it difficult to understand the laws concerning Kentucky condemnation. Whether you are a landowner with a business or a private residence, if you receive a condemnation notice, it is important to contact the skilled Kentucky condemnation attorneys at the law office of Sever Walker Padgitt, LLP as soon as possible. The entity attempting to claim your land will try to move very quickly and our attorneys can determine the amount of compensation to which you are entitled, assist you in calculations, negotiations, and more. The attorneys at Sever Walker Padgitt, LLP can effectively identify damages and select the necessary experts allowing you to properly negotiate with the condemning authority and be willing to take your case to trial if settlement negotiations fail. Please call today at 888-318-3761 for a free consultation.
References:
[1] https://racingnews.co/2015/10/18/eminent-domain-claims-kentucky-lake-motor-speedway/
[2] http://www2.ca.uky.edu/forestryextension/publications/fs9910.pdf
