The Jefferson City Housing Authority's lawsuit to acquire five Capital Avenue properties is in its final stages.
The entity filed an eminent domain lawsuit during the summer for 413-415, 417, 419, and 517-519 E. Capitol Ave. and paid $59,000 last week for the properties.
Eminent domain is a process for government agencies to take control of private property for public use. In this instance, the properties are being sought as part of an effort to fight blight in the area. The five properties were identified as having fallen into disrepair and became targets of vandals or homes for feral animals.
Since 2017, the Jefferson City Housing Authority has purchased nine properties in the East Capitol Avenue Urban Renewal Area with financial help from the city. The Housing Authority is in its third round of eminent domain lawsuits; this time, it involves five properties owned by Barbara Buescher: 413-415, 417, 419, and 517-519 E. Capitol Ave.
Todd Miller, Housing Authority attorney, said Buescher has one more option for appeal if she chooses to take it. Otherwise, the properties will be deeded over to the Housing Authority.
Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green ruled in the Housing Authority's favor in December and ordered a group of commissioners to set a price for each property.
Housing Authority Director Michelle Wessler said the assessed values were $10,000 for 413-15; $20,000 for 417; $10,000 for each 419 and 517; and $9,000 for 519 E. Capitol Ave., which is a vacant lot.
The Housing Authority will send Buescher a letter to remove any of her belongings from the properties. He said they plan to submit a forced removal of anybody "that might be residents on those properties."
Wessler said the Housing Authority doesn't believe anybody to be residing in any of the residences on the properties, but the notice also allows Buescher to remove any property she has in them.