The Benton County Board of Commissioners announced on Friday that they were unable to reach an agreement with property owners of McFadden Ranch, LLC, to purchase approximately 28 acres of the 85-acre site proposed for the Justice System Improvement Program facilities.
In a release from the county, they announced that they would act towards eminent domain to acquire the property.
Eminent domain is a defined legal process by which governments can acquire private property when it is deemed necessary. If eminent domain is ultimately used a jury will determine the value of the property that the county will be required to pay McFadden Ranch, LLC, for the purchase of the 28 acres of vacant land, according to the release.
The Commissioners voted unanimously on Jan. 21 in favor of the McFadden Ranch site adjacent to Hewlett-Packard in North Corvallis.
The release stated that while both the county and the property owner were sincere in their efforts to reach a negotiated purchase, which remains the preferred outcome by both parties to date, the county eventually contemplated the use of eminent domain.
In documents provided by the county, the eminent domain is specific to the north Corvallis site and depended on two outcomes, the Board of Commissioners selecting McFadden Ranch as the preferred campus site for Justice System Improvement Program facilities, and if negotiations to purchase the site faltered.
The county will be moving forward with eminent domain marking the first step in an 18-month–long process. The Board will consider the resolution at their meeting on March 1.
Board of Commissioner meeting materials are available online .
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