The Cleveland Cuyahoga County Port Authority wants to force property owners to give up their land to make way for developer Scott Wolstein's $230 million development project. Over the last two years, Wolstein has been trying to acquire the land, and has negotiated individually with owners of several bars, restaurants, and parking lots along the Cuyahoga River. Three owners have settled on a price. But, those remaining say Wolstein and the local port authority are wielding eminent domain to avoid paying a fair price. Property owner Bill Droe says port appraisers valued the property too low, so he says he'll stick to his initial offer.
Bill Droe: At this point I'm back to square one. As far as I'm concerned their offer is $1 million. And my demand is $5 million. I don't see that they've proceeded in good faith. So they've started the lawsuit and we'll defend it.
Today, Judge John Corrigan will hear arguments in the closely watched case. He'll evaluate the negotiations, and could decide whether the port authority has the right to take property. Tasha Flournoy, 90.3.