July 22, 2008

Injustice on Music Row

The Tennessean updates the eminent domain battle involving the city of Nashville's attempt to take a woman's land - which is not blighted but rather houses a going business and is well-maintained - to give it to a wealthy out-of-state developer so the developer can build a large development of office space and condos and - not coincidentally - generate a lot more money for city tax coffers.

The city has been trying to take Joy Ford's land since 1999, using a bogus "blight" designation. (Just drive by her property - you will know instantly that it is not in any way "blighted" or a "blight" on the area around it. To the contrary, the land already owned by the developer, Lionstone, is blighted; Joy Ford's property is well-maintained and houses a thriving small business.)

As Kay Brooks writes:

The Lionstone property is lined with tall weeds, dead bushes, garbage of all kinds and contains puddles and cracks in the asphalt that are prime for mosquito breeding. During my walk, there was a person doing steady business out of the trunk of his car. Clearly, Lionstone is a bad neighbor and codes should have been called on them a long time ago.

...[T]here is no need for [Ford's] property to be redeveloped. In clear contrast to Lionstone's absentee landowner look Ms. Ford's property is neat, obviously maintained and flowered. If MDHA is allowed to take Ms Ford's property despite her being the better property owner and hand it over to a lousy property owner so tax revenues may be increased - no one's home or business is safe from MDHA.

The bad news: The 2006 state law reforming eminent domain abuse rules in Tennessee was so watered down and neutered by Democrats in the state legislature that the city of Nashville thinks it can still get away with stealing this woman's land for the purpose of enriching a private developer and increasing city tax revenues, both of which are supposed to be abainst the law.

Updatae: Here's part of the City Paper story today:

In a statement released by the Institute of Justice, a national civil liberties law firm, property owner Joy Ford said she intends to fight the eminent domain claim. Ford founded the property in question, which is home to Country International Records, with her late husband in 1974. The Notice of Taking was issued by the Metro Development and Housing Agency.

"I am not interested in selling my property at any price," Ford said in a statement released by her legal representation. "This isn't about money for me. This is about principle. I just want to hold on to a business that has meant so much to my family and a lot of other folks in country music. I should have the right to do that in the United States of America."

The good news: Some elected officials in Nashville realize that what the MDHA is trying to do is wrong:

In the meantime, Metro Councilman Michael Craddock said a group of "half the Metro Council members" was ready to support a bill that could intercede on Ford’s behalf if necessary. Craddock did not explain the details of the bill, but said a draft was completed and ready to be filed.

"It's been prepared," Craddock said of the bill. "I’m so concerned about what MDHA is doing that I'm looking for any alternative possible to stop them. The bill has been drawn. It has been prepared. I'm waiting for the outcome of this and whether or not MDHA will come to their senses."

See also: WPLN's coverage.

Posted in Nashville

Comments

Did you notice the picture that went along with the article? Taken during the winter, skeletal trees and all. Looks more blighted that way I guess.

Posted by: Jeff Smith at July 22, 2008 7:54 AM

Really appreciate this post, Bill. Please keep us all updated on this and also let us know if this organization is raising money for Joy to fight this outrage and assault on her private property rights.

Posted by: Webutante at July 22, 2008 12:56 PM

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