State court rules against Norwich for eminent domain land: Norwich (CT) Bulletin, 12/30/05

A state appellate court has ruled against the city of Norwich in a dispute over the value of a small parcel of land the city seized by eminent domain.

The 198-202 Main St. parcel, already incorporated into the Wauregan Hotel project under construction, was condemned and seized by the city from Bozrah-based Styx Investors in Norwich, LLC in 2003.

In 2004, a superior court decision ruled in favor of the city in determining of the value of the property. But a State Appellate Court decision to be published Tuesday overturns the ruling siding with an argument that the value of the land should be determined in conjunction with the Wauregan project rather than the market value.

The city had proposed an offer of $16,000, which prompted the appeal to superior court. Appraisers for Styx pegged the value at $95,000.

In their decision, the appellate court noted it was publicly known the land was to be used in conjunction with the development of the Wauregan Hotel.

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Norwich Bulletin: www.norwichbulletin.com