School Board Preps to Steal Property for $296 Million School Project

The Duluth school district may use eminent domain for the first time to acquire property for the $296 million Red Plan. [...]

The undeveloped property, wanted by the district for the new Piedmont Elementary School, is owned by Scott Kuiti. The land is behind Piedmont Plaza, which Kuiti also owns. The district wants the land to provide safe access to a playground and to ensure safety of the approach to a loading area, according to a statement from the district.

"The district has been working to negotiate a reasonable purchase price with the property owner since spring of 2010, and negotiations appear to be at an impasse," the release says. "The district will continue efforts to work with the property owner to negotiate a reasonable agreement."

The district says it will take steps this month to acquire "all or a portion of an undeveloped parcel of land near Piedmont Elementary School through continued negotiation or the legal process of eminent domain."