Paper Outline - Eminent Domain

MATT SIEVING
PAPER PROPOSAL: EMINENT DOMAIN & BERKELEY’S DOWNTOWN REDEVELOPMENT PLAN

Broad Questions to Answer
1) When is eminent domain legal?
2) When is eminent domain advisable? When is it unadvisable?
3) How does DAPAC square with the answers to #2?
4) Are there Berkeley-specific issues that make this a particularly good/bad idea?

Outline

1. Eminent Domain: Basic Intro
1. General Intro: Definition & Mechanics
2. Legal Precedents
1. Berman v. Parker, 348 U.S. 26 (1954): Landmark case upholding private to private transfers as part of urban renewal schemes.
2. Hawaii v. Midkiff, 467 U.S. 229 (1984)
3. Kelo v. New London, 545 U.S. 469 (2005): Recent endorsement of private→private transfers.
2. Responses to Kelo
1. Legislative Responses
1. Sensenbrenner Bill: in response to Kelo, would deny federal funds to cities that use eminent domain to transfer property from one private party to another.
1. http://www.counterpunch.org/adler07292006.html
2. Academic Responses
1. “Eminent Domain for Urban Redevelopment - An essential tool for development? Or an unnecessary intervention in the market.”
1. http://ideas.repec.org/a/uct/ctecon/05-win-1.html
3. Public Responses: Newspaper articles, etc.
3. Practical Guide to Eminent Domain
1. New HUD guidelines – Jan 4 2008
1. http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/centers/sac/eminent/
4. Case Studies: Cities that have employed eminent domain
1. New London (Kelo)
5. Berkeley Profile w.r.t. Eminent Domain issues
1. Past experiences
1. Ashby BART – specific resolution not to use ED
2. Demographic / Infrastructural / Geographical / Geological characteristics
3. Issues w/ Historic Preservation & Eminent Domain?
6. Recommendation: What role should Eminent Domain play in downtown redevelopment?