CU reconsiders eminent domain after council opposition

City Utilities of Springfield said Wednesday that it would consider using city-owned property for a bus transfer station after City Council expressed concerns about the utility using eminent domain to obtain private land.

CU had been considering using eminent domain to obtain property owned by Becky Spence along the 500 block of East St. Louis Street. Earlier this year, the utility identified several parcels there to relocate its downtown bus transfer facility, currently at McDaniel Street and Patton Avenue, a move it has been working on for several years.

On Monday, council approved a motion to draw up a resolution opposing the use of eminent domain in this case.

CU says it will take a fresh look at city-owned properties to see if any would be available and suitable for the bus station, according to a news release from CU and the city.

"(This) multiyear process has included a review of both city-owned and privately owned locations," CU General Manager John Twitty said in the release. "If city-owned properties may now be available for further consideration, we are definitely interested in exploring those options."

A public meeting on the topic that was previously scheduled for Monday has been postponed. Mayor Jim O'Neal said he would add an agenda item to discuss the issue at the end of the City Council budget workshop at 5 p.m. Thursday.[[In-content Ad]]