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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The city of Omaha may seek eminent domain authority to acquire vacant lots for Catholic Health Initiatives' plans to build a $35 million medical building.
The Daily Nonpareil (http://bit.ly/1F87ebw ) reports that demolition has already begun, but the national health organization is battling real estate investor Bernard Morello over five vacant lots he has refused multiple offers for. The city is considering seeking eminent domain to forcibly acquire the properties.
Morello's property, which is surrounded by land that Catholic Health Initiatives owns, is in an area that developments show will be used as a parking garage.
"I'm a willing seller, but they have to be able to pay the price," Morello said. He would not comment on what he thinks is a fair price for the property, which he has owned for more than 20 years. He says that the city is overstepping by considering eminent domain.
"We have worked diligently to try to secure the site in order to build this new health care center and provide necessary services to the community," said Don Mandel, regional director of real estate for Catholic Health Initiatives. "We've been unable to do that, so this is now the city's decision."
A medical group spokesman said the land is needed for the construction of a 90,000-square-foot health care center in north Omaha. The center, which would employ about 200 people, would house a medical clinic and have primary care physicians, specialists and 24-hour pharmacy and emergency departments. There would also be 60 outpatient exam rooms.
The Omaha Planning Board has given its support for eminent domain authority, and the city council will consider the matter in about a month.
City Planning Director James Thele says that using eminent domain to acquire the land would be a last resort, but he says the action would be justified.
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Information from: The Daily Nonpareil, http://www.nonpareilonline.com
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