Somebody please tell me that a deluded hacker got to The Morning News' Web site and posted this story in place of the real story of what was said at Quorum Court last night.
I voted for this man in the past. Say it ain't so, Jerry!
The Morning News
Local News for Northwest Arkansas
County May Seize Land For Parking
By Christopher Spencer
THE MORNING NEWS
FAYETTEVILLE -- Washington County should seize property from neighboring landowners in order to solve its parking dilemma, County Judge Jerry Hunton said Thursday.
Hunton told Quorum Court members that he wants to build a new parking lot in downtown Fayetteville on land taken from at least five property owners. The owners will be paid a fair value for their land, but would have no say on selling if the county invokes its eminent domain power under state law.
The judge's plan calls for demolition of at least two houses on North College Avenue, including the destruction of a home owned by Circuit Judge Mary Ann Gunn that is now rented by the county and occupied by the county's public defender's office.
Hunton said he's spoken to Gunn about the county buying her land under eminent domain and she seems "on board with it"
Other landowners are less enthusiastic and even oppose the county's move, Hunton said.
Charles Stutte owns a home next to Gunn and opposes the county's plan.
"I would hope they wouldn't use the government's power of eminent domain to ... accomodate a parking situation the county has," Stutte said Thursday night.
Stutte said he understands that the county needs to find parking and is pleased that the courts system is remaining in downtown Fayetteville, but hopes that he will not have to sacrifice the historic building from where he runs his business.
The L-shaped parking lot would add 195 spaces to parking on the courthouse's east side and would extend the county's footprint to most of the city block from Spring Street to Dickson Street along North College Avenue. The existing parking deck needs repair and would be rehabilitated under Hunton's plan.
An earlier plan to build a parking deck and skywalk across North College Avenue on land owned by St. Paul's Episcopal Church was rebuffed by the church last month.
"As you all know I have tried very, very hard to solve the parking issues here in the area without stepping on anyone's toes," he said.
First Christian Church on the courthouse's south side will remain where it is and parking would wrap around the church if the plan is realized. Hunton said he talking with the church about his plans and that they seem open to the idea.
Hunton has three months left in his decade-long tenure as county judge. Not running again allowed him to make this controversial decision possibly to seize private property, a decision probably too politically risky for an incoming county judge, Hunton said.
He referred to taking a neighbor's property as a "dirty deed" and asked the Quorum Court members to consider carefully whether or not they would support his plan before voting. The Quorum Court has the power to appropriate money in county government, so without their financial approval, Hunton's plan would be blocked because of a lack of money.
It's uncertain what a vote of the 13 Quorum Court members would show, but several members have expressed concern about the county using eminent domain in the past.
Quorum Court members Butch Pond and Joe Patterson said Thursday they were opposed to seizing land through eminent domain. Justice of the Peace Steve Zega said he has not made a decision about the county judge's plan and needs more time to consider it.
Hunton said he will try to get the opinion of Quorum Court members on the proposed parking plan at a future meeting.
AT A GLANCE
Courthouse Bonds
The Washington County Quorum Court set aside $5 million to renovate the historic 1905 courthouse in the coming year. The renovations are being financed through $5.6 million in bonds that were sold by the county recently. Revenue to pay the bond comes from fines and fees from the court system.
County Judge Jerry Hunton said renovation work could begin this May.
Source: Staff Report
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