EMINENT DOMAIN LAW ATTORNEYS – GEORGIA

Thanks for visiting the Sever Storey web page for the State of Georgia. The eminent domain attorneys at Sever Storey have represented hundreds of landowners across the nation—including multiple landowners in the Peach State. We have represented cases of virtually all types—from small pipeline acquisitions to massive highway takes. Our firm has collected a breadth of experience that no firm can match on a national level. If you need immediate attention please contact us directly at 1-888-318-3761 or email me at jordan@landownerattorneys.com.

Sever Storey represents landowners only and only handles eminent domain work. Our firm has not and will not represent condemnors because we stand firmly on the side of the people. A long time ago, the principles of this firm, Phil Sever and Tonny Storey, recognized that there was a dearth of representation for the little guy in eminent domain proceedings. While the states, pipelines, and powerlines were heavily armed with high-priced attorneys and experts, the landowners were getting run over, often not even putting up a fight during condemnation. Since then, Sever Storey has been a defender of the little guy, attaining millions of dollars a year more than what has been originally offered by condemnors.

Due to recent funding initiatives, the State of Georgia has found itself with an influx of cash to spend on new roads. The Georgia Department of Transportation has its eyes on many new road projects, and with these new road projects comes eminent domain. Sever Storey is making a concerted effort to reach out to these Georgia landowners that may have their land acquired via eminent domain. If you are one of these affected landowners, please do not hesitate to call Jordan at 1-888-318-3761 or email me at jordan@landownerattorneys.com.

If you don’t have time to call or e-mail, we will answer some fundamental questions that you may have about eminent domain:

QUESTION: Do I have to accept the condemnor’s first offer?

ANSWER: No. As a matter of principle, we recommend landowners reject condemnor’s first offer of compensation and immediately contact an experienced attorney for advice on that offer. Way too often landowners get intimidated or pressured into accepting the first offer of compensation. These landowners are possibly forfeiting thousands of dollars out of ignorance, fear, or both. The absolute first thing you should do as a landowner when you receive your first offer of compensation is to contact an experienced eminent domain attorney. Our firm does not charge landowners for offer reviews, and we will be happy to promptly review your offer and/or appraisal for free. All you have to do is call Jordan at 1-888-318-3761 or email him at jordan@landownerattorneys.com.

QUESTION: Should I be scared of eminent domain?

ANSWER: As long as you are represented by experienced, knowledgeable counsel and have a plan of attack against the condemnor, you should welcome eminent domain with open arms. Many condemnors use the words “eminent domain” or “condemnation” as a cudgel or hammer in their negotiations with landowners. They do this because they know that landowners are intimidated by the connotations associated with those terms. In reality, if a landowner is appropriately represented and has a real shot at more compensation, they should be thrilled that the condemnor is choosing eminent domain to resolve the matter. Unlike pre-condemnation negotiations, your compensation no longer is determined by the condemnor but ultimately it is left in the hands of your peers. It is the law in Georgia that a landowner is entitled to a jury trial in eminent domain proceedings—meaning if your case reaches trial, a jury of citizens in your county will determine what you are entitled to. Condemnors hate this. As a landowner, you should welcome it.

Eminent domain procedure is governed by the Georgia Code. Any condemnor must follow certain procedures and rules before and during the condemnation of your property. Below is a link to the Georgia eminent domain statutes for your perusal. If you have any questions about eminent domain procedure please feel free to call at 888-318-3761 or email me at jordan@landownerattorneys.com.

Georgia Eminent Domain Law: https://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2016/title-22/

Find Your Georgia Project

SR 9 (FORSYTH COUNTY)

Widen SR 9 (Atlanta Hwy) from Alpharetta to Cumming, while incorporating intersection improvements. Limits of the project extend from the Fulton/Forsyth County line to SR 141.

SR 9 (FULTON COUNTY)​

Widen SR 9 (Cumming Hwy) from Upper Hembree to Forsyth County Line

SR 13 Buford

The project is located along SR 13/Buford Hwy from 400 Feet North of Afton Lane to Shallowford Terrace, approximately 2.6 mile in length.

SPOUT SPRINGS ROAD WIDENING

Hall County, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), is looking at ways to improve mobility along Spout Springs Road, roughly from Hog Mountain Road to New Friendship Road.

SR 83 CONNECTOR

This project proposes to construct a new location, 4.7-mile connector that would provide a bypass around the historic downtown City of Monroe.

SR 20 (CANTON TO CUMMING)

This project is a 20-mile widening of SR 20 from I-575 in Canton to Cumming. Jurisdictions along the corridor include the City of Canton, unincorporated communities of Buffington, Macedonia, Orange, and Free Home in Cherokee County, as well as the unincorporated community of Ducktown and the City of Cumming in Forsyth County.

WEST WINDER BYPASS

From CR 325/Matthews School Rd to SR 211-Phase 1 Phase 1 (PI #0006327), West Winder Phase 1 begins at Mile Post 2.71 (MP 2.71), on Patrick Mill Rd just south of CR 325/Matthes School Rd, then crosses CR 325/Matthes School Rd.

Windy Hill-Terrell Mill Connector

The new four-lane road will begin at the intersection of Spectrum Circle/Interstate North Parkway and Windy Hill Road and connect at the current Bentley Road and Terrell Mill Road intersection.

SR 316 @ SR 11

Reconstruct the SR 316 @ SR 11 Interchange.

SR 316 @ SR 53

Reconstruct the SR 316 @ SR 53 Interchange in Barrow County, GA.

SR 92 (PAULDING)

This project would widen and reconstruct SR 92/Dallas Acworth Highway from Hiram Acworth Highway/Cedarcrest Road to US 41/SR 3/Cobb Parkway from a two-lane undivided roadway to a four-lane divided roadway with a twenty-foot raised median, curb and gutter, and sidewalks and from East Paulding Drive to CR 473/Old Burnt Hickory Road (see project location map).

I-285 @ BOULDERCREST

The proposed project would include a collector-distributor roadway system between the I-675/I-285 interchange and the I-285/Bouldercrest Road interchange.

SR 400 McGinnis Ferry Interchange and Widening

This project will consist of construction a full diamond interchange on SR 400 at Mcginnis Ferry Road. The project would add northbound and southbound auxiliary lanes on SR 400 south to Windward Parkway ramps and north to McFarland Parkway ramps of the existing McGinnis Ferry Road bridge, which would be replaced. McGinnis Ferry Road would be widened to 4 lanes on the Fulton County side of SR 400 and to six lanes on the Forsyth side of 400 with a typical that would include curb and gutter with 5 foot sidewalks and/or a multi-use path. Right and Left turn lanes would be added and proposed bridge would be designed to span the future managed lanes on SR 400.

SR1/US27/LAGRANGE

The proposed project would widen a portion of SR 1/US 27/Hamilton Road beginning just south of the intersection with Auburn Ave.

US 441/SR 15

Improve US 441/SR 15 from CS 500/Clayburn Road, just inside Clayton’s northern limit, northward to the North Carolina state line.

SR 53

This project is the widening and reconstruction of S.R. 53 Business (BU) in Pickens County. The project begins at the intersection of SR 5I5 and SR 53 BU and continues to the intersection of CR 243/Industrial Boulevard and Burnt Mountain Road. The total project distance is approximately 2.6 miles, including a one-way pair section.

SR 166​

The proposed State Route (SR) 166 widening and reconstruction project would begin just east of Big Indian Creek, located west of Bowdon, and end at the 4-lane section along the SR 166 South Carrollton Bypass just west of County Road (CR) 11/Hays Mill Road.

SR 4

Widening & reconstruction of SR 4/15th Street/MLK Blvd from Milledgeville Road to Government Street in the City of Augusta. Total project length is 1.59 miles.

SR 4/US 1

Widen and Reconstruct SR 4/US 1 from Wadley Bypass to SR 88.

I-85 AND 324

The I-85 and SR 324 project proposes four new ramps to create a new location, full access diamond interchange with the existing overpass of (non-controlled access) SR 324 / Gravel Springs Road over (controlled access) I-85 / SR 403.

Bells Ferry Road Widening (Cherokee County)

The goals of this project are to alleviate the present and future traffic congestion on Bells Ferry Road and to reduce crash frequency. The preliminary proposed limits are at Southfork Way on the south end (connecting to an existing 4-lane section) and north of Victoria Road on the north end (connecting to an existing 2-lane section). The project will address capacity on the most congested portion of Bells Ferry Road.

Furys Ferry Road Project (Columbia County)

The proposed project will widen a 3.8 mile section of SR 28 in Columbia County, Georgia from Evans To Locks Road to the South Carolina State Line. It is proposed to widen the existing two lane section to a four lane urban section divided by a planted raised median with median breaks at designated locations. The project also includes the addition of sidewalks and bike lanes. The existing right of way varies from 90 to 160 feet. Additional right of way will be required for widening of the existing roadway, and will have a standard width of 145 feet, with additional right of way as required.

McGinnis Ferry Road Widening (Forsyth County)

The proposed project would consist of the widening of McGinnis Ferry Road from Sargent Road to Union Hill Road/Ronald Regan Blvd. located on the Fulton County line in southern Forsyth County. The length of the proposed project is approximately 4.58 miles. The proposed design includes two lanes in each direction with a 20-foot raised median. The design speed is 45 mph. The proposed outside shoulder wouldbe a 16-foot urban shoulder on the north side containing curb and gutter with a 10-foot multi-used path and on the south side would be a 12 foot-urban shoulder containing curb and gutter with 5-foot sidewalks.

SR 400 Express Lanes (Fulton County)

To improve mobility on State Route (SR) 400, the Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) plans to add new, optional express lanes from the North Springs MARTA Station to McFarland Parkway.
• Two buffer-separated express lanes in each direction between the North Springs MARTA Station and McGinnis Ferry Road
• One buffer-separated express lane in each direction from McGinnis Ferry Road to McFarland Parkway The SR 400 Express Lanes will be part of the larger Georgia Express Lanes system. The SR 400 Express Lanes is one of the Major Mobility Investment Program (MMIP) projects.
https://cdn.majormobilityga.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/17092237/SR-400-FAQ_13.pdf

Historic Gateway Project (Fulton County)

GDOT is partnering with the City of Roswell to provide widening and improvement to SR 9. The project (aka Roswell Historic Gateway) will eliminate the three-lane reversible lanes on SR 9 between SR 120 and the Chattahoochee River crossing by adding one additional lane and a median of varying width along the entire 1.25-mile corridor. The project will also grade separate the intersection of SR 9 with Riverside Road/Azalea Drive and replace the deficient Riverside Road bridge crossing over Vickery Creek.

Sardis Road Connector (Hall County)

-The SARDIS ROAD CONNECTOR is the widening and reconstruction of several existing local roads and streets with some new roadway on new alignment. This project STP-0003-00(626) begins at the Sardis Road /Chestatee Road intersection and extends north to SR 60 in the vicinity of the intersection with Mt. Vernon Road. The alignment follows several existing local roads with some of the roadway on new location.The total project length is approximately 3.55 miles and will provide a connector roadway between S.R. 53 to the south and S.R. 60 to the north. The proposed roadway will consist of a four lane curb and gutter divided roadway, 2 lanes in each direction separated with a 20 foot wide, 6 inch high curb and gutter median. Sidewalk will be provided on both sides of the road

Salem Road (SR 162) Widening (Newton County)

Project 231210- & 0013628, SR 162/Salem Road involves widening Salem Road from just south of BrownBridge Road in Newton County to Flat Shoals Road in Rockdale County from the existing 2-lane roadway to a 4-lane roadway (2 lanes in each direction). Salem Road from Flat Shoals Road to the I-20 ramps will be widened from its existing 4-lane roadway to a 6-lane roadway. A 16-ft raised is proposed for the entire length of the project. A 12-ft shoulder that includes a 5-ft sidewalk will be on the east side. A 20-ft shoulder including a 10-ft shared use path, is proposed on the west side throughout the SR 162 corridor

Rome-Cartersville Development Corridor Road Project (Bartow County)

The proposed project will provide a connection between US 411 and I-75 in Bartow County. The project will allow for a more direct routing of U.S. 411 that will reduce through traffic along the SR 140 and U.S. 41/SR 20 corridors, and to accommodate current and future demand due to increasing population and employment growth in Bartow and Floyd counties. In addition to congestion relief along the aforementioned corridors, the project is anticipated to increase connectivity between Rome and the I-75 corridor which will help to improve local access and support economic development.

I-285 Top End Express Lanes (Fulton County)

The I-285 Top End Express Lanes is one of the Major Mobility Investment Program (MMIP) projects to improve mobility along the northern portion of I-285 in metro Atlanta, one of the most heavily-traveled and congested interstate highways in America. These express lanes will be part of the larger Georgia Express Lanes network, designed to provide a connected transportation system with reliable trip times for motorists.
I-285 Top End West Express Lanes: This construction package focuses on adding two new at-grade and elevated, barrier-separated express lanes in both directions of I-285 between Paces Ferry Road and SR 400.

I-285 Top End East Express Lanes: The construction package focuses on adding two new at-grade and elevated, barrier-separated express lanes in both directions of I-285 between Henderson Road and SR 400, and north on SR 400 from the Glenridge Connector to the North Springs MARTA Station.

If you have received an offer of compensation, or believe you will be affected by eminent domain in the near future, call Jordan Walker at 1-888-318-3761 or email him at jordan@landownerattorneys.com. We do not charge or bill landowners for case reviews.